Posted on 04/16/2006 2:29:17 PM PDT by M. Espinola
Iran is giving $50 million to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to fill gaps left by Western aid cuts, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Sunday.
The donation will help make up the shortfall left by the aid cut-off by the United States and the European Union and Israel's freezing of the transfer of about $50 million a month in tax and customs receipts to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government.
"I am honoured to announce that Iran has donated $50 million to help the Palestinian nation," Mottaki said in a televised speech to a conference in Tehran on the Palestinian issue.
Mottaki said the gift was Iran's duty as a friend of the Palestinians, but did not say how or when it would reach them.
Iran has been at odds with the United States since its 1979 Islamic revolution, and has refused to recognise Israel.
Washington and the European Union froze aid to the Hamas-led government because the Islamist group did not comply with their demand that it recognise Israel, renounce violence and abide by interim peace agreements.
The Palestinian economy has been crippled during years of fighting with Israel, and Palestinians are dependent on foreign aid totalling more than $1 billion a year.
Mottaki called on Muslims around the world to support the Palestinians. "The Islamic world should help the new Palestinian government to overcome its current problems," he said.
Hamas, which took office on March 29, faces a financial crisis and a struggle to revive an economy suffering from widespread poverty and corruption and high unemployment.
It has called on Arab states to make up the shortfall but has not even been able to find a bank willing to handle its finances.
The 22-member Arab League promised last month to maintain aid to the Palestinian Authority at around $55 million a month.
Hamas, which carried out many suicide bombings in Israel during the uprising against Israeli occupation but has largely observed a truce for the past year, has repeatedly said it has no intention of recognising the Jewish state.
But it has offered a long-term truce if Israel fully withdraws from land captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel has dismissed such an offer as a non-starter and vowed not to negotiate with the group.
U.S. and Israeli officials are concerned that Tehran, which also refuses to recognise Israel, will gain influence over the Hamas-led government and make it harder to reach a Middle East peace settlement.
I hope they give them more and more money.
Let us see how Iran and the other "friends: quickly tire of financing a bunch of deadbeats, $50 million, if it arrives buys propaganda and it is probably a one time "gift".
$50+ millions every month highly doubtful.
If they smuggle dirty bombs into Israel, Iran will consider it well worth it.
Iran is really, really asking for it. Demanding it even. I hope we support Israel when they get it.
The Russians are giving to Hamas too (surprised?)
No surprise at all, our "good friend" Putin is setting US up for the grand stab in the back using terrorist proxies he armed. (see below):
Russia Offers Aid to Hamas
"Russia has pledged urgent financial assistance to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, the Foreign Ministry said.
In a telephone conversation Friday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow was willing to provide immediate aid.
"Abbas expressed great appreciation for Russia's offer, confirmed by Lavrov, to offer urgent financial assistance in the near future to the Palestinian National Authority," said a ministry statement released late Friday." (AP)
Iran and Hamas will both need funds for - coffins!
Iran can easily afford 50Mil a month, after all E.U. nations and others make Iran oil rich through purchases of Iranian crude oil and natural gas, every month.
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$50M may not even cover the PA's bloated payroll for one month. Methinks the PA isn't going to get nearly as much help from their Muslim bretheren as they did from the Infidel West. Too bad--its about time we cut these peckerheads off.
Oh there is no question that they can afford it, I just feel that they would not continue that kind of financial support every month.
The whole "palestinian refugee crisis" is just one big scam perpetrated by terrorsts who are lining their pockets and damn the cost to human life.
Given: $50 million per month at $25,000 per suicide bomber equals 2,000 suicide bomber per month.
Question: How many Palestinians live in the Gaza and West Bank and how long could it be before we'll be rid of the culture-of-death-vermin that occupy those lands?
Sorry, couldn't resist!
Most likely arms will replace cash payments, however there may be another reason why neither terrorist cult will be around much longer. Iran and Hamas have crossed the line of no return. It's time to clean house in the Mid-East.
Excellent point.
I am hoping that President Bush does a Michael Corleone before he leaves office and properly takes care of business.
I do not agree with him on the immigrant issue but give him a world of credit for finally taking on the enemies of our country and not pretending as if they did not exist.
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