Aid Grows Despite Embargo

Palestinians are actually receiving more foreign aid, not less,  than they were before the US and the European Union slapped an aid embargo against the Hamas led Palestinian Authority last year, reports Steven Erlanger. The United Nations and the International Monetary Fund say $1.2 billion was given to the Palestinians in 2006 compared with $1 billion in 2005.

The aid was given by the US, the European Union and Arab states to individuals or through agencies like the World Food program. The Palestinians are no better off for their $300 per capita assistance. Instead, the West Bank and Gaza communities are dependent on hand-outs while their  economy tanks. One UN official quoted anonymously says, “aid is going down the sinkhole.” (More Palestine stories.)