A conservative party in Germany’s governing coalition has temporarily blocked €30 million in aid promised to the Palestinian Authority for the occupied West Bank over worries the funds could be used against Israel.
The funds, pledged by Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan of the SPD, were intended to pay salaries for teachers and healthcare workers and deployed through an EU-run mechanism.
Alexander Hoffmann, leader of the CSU in parliament, has demanded “further clarification” that no projects financed by this aid will threaten Israel’s security.
German government sources say the coalition has a common position, but parliamentary approval is needed before releasing the funds.