Dutch halt aid to Palestinians

THE HAGUE: The Netherlands has halted direct aid to the justice system of the Palestinian Authority over compensation given to prisoners jailed in Israel for attacks, the Dutch government said on Friday.

The cut involves 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) per year that was paid directly to the Palestinians and earmarked for the justice system under an EU programme.

"The Netherlands is not happy with the current Palestinian support system for prisoners and their relatives, because the amount of the benefit is linked to the duration of detention," the Dutch foreign ministry said in an emailed statement to AFP.

"The Netherlands considers this an undesirable signal, because the violence seems to be rewarded."

The Dutch government said it had told the Palestinians a year ago it would cut aid if nothing changed, "however, these talks have not yet produced the desired results, and the government has therefore decided to stop direct support to the Palestinian Authority."

The Netherlands said funds that had already been set aside for the Palestinian justice system would be used instead for indirect aid, along with other countries, to promote "constitutional development" in the Palestinian Territories.

The PA says the payments are a form of welfare to families who have lost their main breadwinner.

Many Palestinians view prisoners and those killed while carrying out attacks as heroes in their conflict with Israel. Palestinian leaders often venerate them as martyrs. Israel alleges the payments encourage further violence.

In July the Netherlands suspended its contribution to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees pending the outcome of a probe into alleged mismanagement and abuses of authority by the agency’ top management.