Audit carried out by the European Commission regarding financial aid European Union with PalestineAs a result Hamas attack on Israel The aid on 7 October is now over, and the result is a relief for European leaders after the controversy sparked by the initial announcement that the aid would be suspended. The analysis confirms that European funds are not directed to the Palestinian movement. AIDS will continue without disruption. “The review found no indication that European money directly or indirectly financed the terrorist organization Hamas,” the Community Management vice president said. Valdis DomvrovskisAfter the meeting of the commissioners.
According to the European Commission, the document shows that the control system is working and that the protection measures implemented and strengthened in recent years are effective. “They worked well and there is no evidence that funds were diverted to other targets,” Brussels concludes. However, the review also made it possible to identify seven projects worth €75.6 million that are no longer viable due to the situation on the ground.
These are mostly big projects infrastructureto contain gas For access to desalination plant and healthcare services in the Gaza Strip ThisThe commission concludes that “its application is not valid in the present context.” This also includes aid to the Gaza local government, civil servants and retirees. This money will be reprogrammed to assist Palestinians in light of new priorities.
Review of 119 contracts
audit It involved reviewing a total of 119 contracts worth €331 million financed through different European instruments. 88% (worth 216 million) was carried out and approved by Brussels after receiving information from the governing institutions and organizations. The European Commission requested clarification and additional information regarding 12 percent of the contracts, corresponding to 39 million euros.
“We asked a series of questions and are waiting for the answer,” explain community sources, who insist that despite this request for information, they were generally satisfied with the outcome and failed to identify any cases. diversion of funds. However, they also admit that there are two projects worth 8 million euros. terrorism and his speech hate”. Although Brussels has not announced which projects have been approved, this would be a violation of contracts.
Although an in-depth examination of aid to Palestine did not reveal major problems, the “risk” of diversion of funds increased.war continues” and the political atmosphere that led Brussels to announce the strengthening of controls by adding new safeguards. For example, in all new contracts with entities in Palestine, including operations centrally managed by the European Commission, a “anti-sedition clause” and a “restrictive measures clause” will be included in the contracts.
They also requested all organizations benefiting from EU funding to provide more information on the procedures and tools used to fulfill contractual obligations resulting from restrictive measures and anti-subsidy clauses during grants involving third-party funding. organization and composition of the management board of all sub-beneficiaries.