Denmark and Sweden said on Tuesday they would suspend development aid to the Palestinians but would maintain humanitarian assistance following attacks on Israel by the Hamas militant group.
The announcement came a day after the European Commission launched a review of development aid to the Palestinians.
The Copenhagen government said in a statement:
Denmark and Sweden said on Tuesday they would suspend development aid to the Palestinians but would maintain humanitarian assistance following attacks on Israel by the Hamas militant group.
The announcement came a day after the European Commission launched a review of development aid to the Palestinians.
The Copenhagen government said in a statement: “We have decided to suspend Denmark’s development assistance to Palestine.”
“A thorough investigation will be carried out to ensure that Danish funds are not misused to indirectly support terrorist organizations attacking Israel.”
It said the review would be carried out “in close dialogue with Denmark’s partners in the EU and the Nordic countries.”
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Denmark had planned to provide a total of 235.5 million kroner ($33.5 million) in humanitarian and development aid to the Palestinian territories in 2023.
Approximately SEK 72 million of development aid has yet to be disbursed.
“It is this assistance that is currently on hold,” the statement said.
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Sweden also announced it would suspend development aid, but gave no immediate details on the amount.
Austria and Germany also announced they would suspend development aid.
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