On Monday, 28 July, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica explained that the European Commission was currently working on creating a donors’ group for Palestine. In April, she had announced that such a group, then called a ‘platform’, would be established within the next “few weeks” (see EUROPE 13621/1).
“This donors’ group should serve as a forum to support the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda. A place where donors can follow the reforms carried out and exchange views on how best to support the Palestinian Authority as well as pledge their financial support”, she explained during the conference on the two-state solution that was held in New York City.
“We must support the Palestinian Authority: the two-state solution can only be achieved with a reformed and revitalised Palestinian Authority”, reiterated the commissioner, who welcomed the announcement of presidential and general elections to be held throughout the Palestinian territory within the next year and, to that end, the adoption of the expected party law.
Ms Šuica felt that the EU—providing €1.6 billion in support over the next three years—was keeping “the Palestinian Authority from financial collapse”. “The release of withheld funds and the regular and predictable transfer of clearance revenues by Israel is imperative”, she added, warning that without these urgent payments, the [Palestinian Authority] risked being paralysed within a few months.
According to the commissioner, this donors’ group will also be a “concrete instrument to facilitate discussions on the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza”. “We are ready to provide further assistance when conditions are met, and we welcome efforts in this direction of the Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction”, she explained, clarifying that the EU was ready to facilitate discussions in the days following the ceasefire and to contribute to all aspects of security, stability, and governance while supporting the Palestinian Authority’s role in Gaza.
Recent support for UNRWA. Ms Šuica also announced that €30 million had been disbursed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). “These funds will be used to pay the salaries of [UNRWA] teachers and medical staff”, explained a European source.
Conference denounced by the United States. Although at least 125 countries participated in the conference—including at least 50 at the ministerial level—a spokesperson for the US Department of State described the gathering as “an unproductive and ill-timed conference on the two-state solution”. “This is a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, [...] reward its obstruction, and undermine real-world efforts to achieve peace”, she added, specifying that her country would not participate in this “insult”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)