French envoy: Palestinians given $3b in foreign aid in 2008
PA budget gets $1.8b, $500b goes to humanitarian assistance; unclear amount allocated to Gaza.
By The Associated Press Tags: Hamas Israel news GazaA French diplomat said Tuesday that the Palestinians have received $3 billion in foreign aid in 2008.
Alain Remy, the French consul general in Jerusalem, said that $1.8 billion went for the budget of the Palestinian Authority. Another $700 million went to specific programs. Finally, $500 million went to humanitarian assistance.
At a pledging conference in Paris a year ago, donor countries promised to contribute $7.7 billion through 2010. The money is meant to shore up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his peace efforts with Israel.
Some of the money reaches Hamas-ruled Gaza as humanitarian assistance and salaries for Abbas loyalists.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
