00:00 The EU has unblocked development aid to Palestinians after finding no irregularities in how the
00:06 money is dispersed. Outstanding money for 2023 worth 331 million euro had been withheld
00:13 while the European Commission conducted a review to ensure none of the cash went into
00:19 the hands of extremists or to Hamas.
00:22 The review found no indications of EU money having directly or indirectly benefited the
00:28 terrorist organization Hamas. The review found that the control system in place has worked.
00:35 As a result payment to Palestinian beneficiaries and UNRWA will continue without payment delays.
00:43 Hungarian EU Commissioner Oliver Verheyly unilaterally announced the suspension of aid
00:49 in the wake of the Hamas atrocities on October 7th. Several member states objected though
00:56 and the EU decided to conduct a review of the money instead.
01:01 Palestinians have not received any money in the interim. The Palestinian ambassador to
01:05 the EU, Abdel Rahim Al-Farah, says the review was about saving the face of the Commissioner
01:10 as there was never any question of EU money going to Hamas.
01:15 There is no problem with the EU and with the member states or the Commission about where
01:21 the money of the European Union has gone. But after the events of October 7th, one Commissioner
01:28 tried to declare that we cut all the financial support for the Palestinian people or the
01:37 Palestinian Authority. One hour later, the President of the Commission, the Commissioners
01:41 or the member states, for saving the face of this Commissioner, they, you know, only
01:50 now we want to review the money of the European Union for the Palestinian people.
01:57 Development aid is money that pays for schools, hospitals, police, teachers and other aspects
02:04 of civil society. Despite the audit clearing the majority of the money, the EU is seeking
02:11 clarifications into two EU funded projects following allegations related to inciting
02:17 hatred. Shona Murray, Euronews, Brussels.
02:20 [Music]
02:22 (whooshing)
02:24 (whooshing)
