The Department for International Development has reportedly partially frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority pending an investigation into concerns that the organisation is paying salaries to convicted terrorists.
The Sun reports that new Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP, will withhold £25 million this year – a third of the total aid sent to the Palestinians.
During the summer, DfID froze aid to international charity World Vision pending investigation following separate reports the director of the charity’s Gaza Branch had diverted 60% of its budget to Hamas.
CFI Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP and CFI Honorary President, Lord Polak CBE, said:
“Today’s announcement is an important step towards peace and those who work for it on all sides. It sends a wake-up call to the Palestinian Authority.
“As the new Secretary of State for International Development, Priti Patel has acted quickly to challenge a long-standing abuse of well-intentioned international aid money.
“This announcement will benefit Palestinian residents as funding will be unambiguously focused on coexistence, economic development and peace”.
