Spain: We cannot punish the Palestinians

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said he believed the European Union (EU) Commission’s previous statement on “cutting aid to Palestine” was a unilateral decision.

Stating that other EU countries were not informed of the decision, Albares noted that the commission “quickly did a 180 degree turn” after announcing the decision.

“HAMAS AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE ARE NOT THE SAME”

Stating that “the Palestinian people should not be equated with Hamas,” Albares said: “We cannot confuse Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, with the Palestinian people and officials.”

Albares stated that cutting EU aid while the Palestinians need help more than ever would have a counterproductive effect, adding: “We would be taking away the rights of the Palestinians, who view the actions of Hamas with horror and are in favor of peace. “We cannot punish people who are terrified by the consequences of terrorist acts twice by unfairly cutting off the aid they need more than ever,” he said.

CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS MADE FROM THE EU

Opinion on EU aid to Palestine was different. Oliver Varhelyi, EU Commission member responsible for neighborhood and enlargement, said development aid projects worth a total of €691 million would be reviewed and all payments would be suspended immediately.

Janez Lenarcic, EU Commission member responsible for humanitarian aid, said humanitarian aid will continue.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also announced that the arrears would not be suspended, saying: “Suspending payments in a way that punishes the entire Palestinian people will harm the interests of the EU in the region and will further encourage terrorists.” (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)