The EU will continue to give financial aid to the Palestinian Authority if a future Hamas-led government renounces violence and seeks peace with Israel, writes Jamie Smyth in Brussels.
But EU foreign ministers said yesterday that violence was incompatible with democracy, implying they would withhold up to €500 million in annual aid to the Palestinian territories unless Hamas committed itself to purely democratic means.
The ministers met in Brussels to discuss the implications of Hamas's victory in last week's parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories. The organisation won 74 seats in a 132-seat parliament compared with just 45 seats for the ruling Fatah party.
Hamas, which is listed by the EU as a terrorist group and is committed to Israel's destruction, is expected to form the next government in the Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the EU said it stood ready to continue to support Palestinian economic development and democratic state building. But it urged Hamas to renounce violence, to recognise Israel's right to exist, to disarm and follow existing peace agreements.
Following talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas urged the EU to continue to provide financial assistance.
Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Gaza, also asked the EU to continue to provide funds. "We call on you to understand the priorities of our Palestinian people at this stage and continue the spiritual and financial support in order to push the region toward stability rather than pressure and tension," he said.
EU funding is vitally important for the Palestinian government, which is €500 million in debt and hovering close to bankruptcy.