JERUSALEM, October 30, 2013 (WAFA) - British support will
help avert a financial crisis for the Palestinian Authority (PA) which would
jeopardize critical peace talks, International Development Minister Alan Duncan
announced Wednesday.
The latest projections from the International Monetary Fund
suggest the PA faces a shortfall of $200 million in its everyday running costs
for the rest of this year. A one-off contribution of £7.5 million from the UK
will enable the PA to pay its staff to carry out its work, according to statement
by the Department for International Development (DFID).
The PA is responsible for ensuring the strong and
accountable running of basic services for Palestinian people, ranging from
primary education to measles immunization programs. It also supports the very
poorest to ensure they can meet their most basic needs.
Any disruption to the PA’s ability to provide these key
services and to maintain living standards for the Palestinian people risks
weakening its position at the negotiating table. This, in turn, could jeopardize
the progress of the talks, added the statement.
“The Middle East peace talks offer the best chance for peace
and security in a very long time, but we are at a critical point,” said Duncan.
He added: “At this extraordinary time, extraordinary efforts
are needed. We already provide regular funding to the Palestinian Authority,
but this one-off boost will help ensure that the Palestinian leadership can get
on with the business of meeting ordinary people’s basic needs, and not be
diverted from negotiating a successful agreement.”
Duncan expressed hope that “other donors will now follow our
lead and step up to help meet the funding shortfall with predictable, regular
financial support for the PA. The ultimate goal is a viable, independent
Palestinian state living in peace and prosperity alongside a secure Israel.”
The UK’s continued direct financial support will help the PA’s Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in ensuring that the salaries of Palestinian public employees are paid in full and on time. The PA has demonstrated that it is capable of running an effective government and providing security for its people.
M.S.
