A humanitarian relief package totaling roughly $26 million (€25 million) was announced on Monday by the EU.
Efforts to counteract rising energy and food prices, which have been exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, have been announced by the European Commission in a statement.
“Healthcare help, including mental care for trauma, to those affected by the continuous violence, the consequences of the embargo on Gaza, and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak,” according to the statement, will be provided to Palestinian families.
EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic stated, “The EU continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
“Push on complete respect for international humanitarian law and condemn the continuous evictions of people and demolitions of their houses, schools and basic infrastructure,” he said. The EU will continue to insist. “We must put an end to this.”
As a result of a controversy over Palestinian school textbooks purportedly including anti-Semitic writings and encouragement of violence, the EU executive body delayed the release of pledged financial aid for Palestine in 2021.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told reporters on Monday that “there is no justification for the European Commission to withhold over €300 million of funds for the Palestinian Authority.”
According to him, he discussed this issue at the last reunion, where “all but one minister argued forcefully in favor of the prompt delivery of that money.” he said.
When asked if he would bring up the issue at the meeting, Coveney said emphatically, “This is EU money, not European Commission money.”
