The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said on Monday afternoon that “humanitarian assistance to the most needy Palestinians will continue as long as the need exists.”
The European Commissioner says he “strongly condemns the Hamas terrorist attack” but understands that “it is absolutely necessary to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.” For this reason, European aid intended for humanitarian projects in Palestine will “continue” to be provided.
Although I understand the terrorist attack of… #Hamasit is imperative to protect civilians and respect IHL.
EU humanitarian aid #Palestinians in distress will continue as long as necessary.
– Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) October 9, 2023
The clarification from the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management comes hours after the announcement by the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy, the Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi, that on the eve of the meeting in which the European Union Foreign Ministers will decide how to go further with regard to Palestine, announced the total and immediate reduction of all payments intended for the Palestinians.
•All payments suspended immediately.
•All projects under review.
•All new budget proposals, including those for 2023, postponed until further notice.
• Extensive assessment of the entire portfolio.– Oliver Varhelyi (@OliverVarhelyi) October 9, 2023
However, the unilateral decision, announced by the Hungarian Commissioner, has no support in the Council of the European Union and is already rejected by some governments.
The Irish government, for example, believes there is “no legal basis” to support a decision of this nature and is awaiting clarification from the European Commission. Spain also does not agree with the cuts. And the Luxembourg foreign minister was irritated by the decision to reduce European aid to Palestine.
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contacted by Lusa, also said it was not aware of the legal basis relied on by the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy to announce such a suspension.
At a time when doubts about the money circuit are increasing after it left European control, Brussels had assured at the beginning of the afternoon through the spokesperson of the European Commission for Neighborhood Policy, Ana Pisonero, that Brussels has a way to ensure that the funds are not diverted to terrorist activities.
“The European Union has very strict rules for selecting and vetting the beneficiaries of European funds. And of course, all beneficiaries of European Union financing are obliged to ensure that these funds are not made available, directly or indirectly, to entities, individuals or groups designated under restrictive measures or their representatives,” the spokesperson stressed.
The issue was on the agenda of the European Commission’s daily press conference, with journalists wondering whether Brussels has guarantees that European funds cannot be funneled into Hamas’s purchase of weapons.
The main spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Eric Mamer, guarantees that “the European Union does not finance Hamas or its activities in any way.”
Source: DN
