EU Hosts Second Donor Conference for Palestinian Territories

At the center of the discussions is the financial stability of the Palestinian Authority. Brussels is the main financier of the Palestinian Authority and is using the donor conference to organize and broaden international support for the PA. However, the EU is tying future disbursements to reforms, as emerged from the preparations for the conference.

Financial Stability of the Authority in Focus

Also on the agenda are new funds for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. With this, the EU is responding to the ongoing difficult situation of the civilian population in the coastal territory. The donor conference is also intended to be understood as a signal that the international community continues to share responsibility for the region.

With the participation of more than 60 delegations, including those from Arab states, the EU aims to assemble the broadest possible coalition in support of the Palestinian territories. The high level of participation is seen as an indication that, despite geopolitical tensions, the international community is committed to a coordinated response to the crisis.

Aid Tied to Reforms

According to the EU representative, the conference is also conceived as a response to dwindling media and political attention on the Gaza Strip. The donor conference is meant to bring the issue back into sharper focus. EU representatives stressed that sustainable financing can only succeed if the funds are tied to concrete reform progress.

No official figure was given before the start of the conference on the exact amount of the pledged sums. Observers expect that the final pledges will only be announced over the course of the day. The EU hopes the conference will send a clear signal of solidarity with the Palestinian population.

Second Donor Conference of Its Kind

The donor conference is the second of its kind. With the renewed format, the EU is reaffirming its claim to play a central role in the financial and political support of the Palestinian territories. At the same time, Brussels is making clear that aid payments are to be tied more strongly to reform conditions in the future.