Brussels, 06/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 6 May, the European Commission decided to grant €85 million to the occupied Palestinian territories. This is in addition to the €100 million already granted from the Community budget for the year underway. It is also used to support Palestinian public services (the salaries of officials and pensions in the health and education sectors). “With this decision, the Commission is demonstrating again its indefatigable support to the Palestinian people”, European Commissioner Stefan Füle said. Catherine Ashton said that, as state structures are being set in place, the “decision renews our commitment to support the most vulnerable among Palestinians, and is part of our support to the Palestinian Authority's institution-building programme (….). It is important that access to essential public services remains uninterrupted and the right to social services is respected.” The Israeli government has frozen the refund of €59.6 million in taxes levied during the transit through its ports and airports of products intended for Palestine, in response to the national unity agreement signed by all organisations, including the two main factions, Fatah and Hamas. The decision taken by Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz is not approved by all in Israel. According to Haaretz, Defence Minister Ehud Barak was quick to express his opposition. (F.B./transl.jl)