Russia sends aid to Palestinians

Russia sent €7.9m in urgent financial aid to the Palestinian Authority today, the Foreign Ministry said.

The transfer, which had been expected, reflected Russia’s stated belief that the Palestinian government should not be isolated after Hamas leaders took office.

The European Union and the United States have cut off aid to the Palestinian government in protest of the militant group’s refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence since its January victory in legislative elections.

Both the EU and the US list Hamas as a terrorist organisation, a designation that prohibits any dealings with the group.

Russia, which is seeking to boost its international clout and its role in the Middle East peace process, hosted a high-level Hamas delegation in March.

That meeting provoked anger in Israel and surprise among the other members of the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators, but Moscow made no visible headway in persuading Hamas to soften its stance.

The Foreign Ministry said the decision to make the aid transfer was based on “the deteriorating social-economic and humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories.” It said the money was transferred to a bank account of the office of the head of the Palestinian Authority.

It said Russia and the Palestinians had agreed that the money would be used “to provide for the social and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population, chiefly in the spheres of medicine and education,” and that some was earmarked for specific medical and educational institutions.

Hamas has asked Arab countries to provide funds to help make up for the shortfall caused by the EU and US aid cut-off, and Russian media last month cited the Palestinian finance minister and unidentified Russian Foreign Ministry officials as saying Moscow would contribute €7.9m.