WHO WILL FINANCE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY?
Western governments have made it clear that they are unwilling to finance a Palestinian Authority that includes Hamas, as long as Hamas refuses to renounce violence or recognize Israel’s right to exist. This could have a serious impact on the Palestinian Authority (PA), which receives some $1.1 billion from the European Union annually, and last year received more than $70 million from the United States. In addition, donors have given a total of $6 billion over the past 11 years. Also at stake are Israeli transfers of tax rebates and other funds to the PA, which amount to roughly $40 million a month, the “Wall Street Journal” reported on 30 January. At least one Arab columnist has suggested that Tehran could be an alternative source of financing, because it has been more resolute on the Palestinian question than Arab governments have been. Renouncing Violence “We’re looking to Hamas to renounce violence,” British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on 30 January. “We also want to see Hama
