Germany to Review Aid to Palestinians After Hamas Attack on Israel

The German government announced on Sunday that it is reviewing its aid of one hundred million euros to Palestinians following the largest attack on Israel in recent years by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, according to Reuters.

Germany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze stated that the government has always closely monitored that the funds are used only for peaceful purposes. “However, these attacks on Israel represent a horrific turn,” she said. “We will now review all our commitments related to the Palestinian territories.”

Germany will discuss with Israel the best ways to implement development programs in the region, and will coordinate its actions with international partners, the minister added.

Some German lawmakers, particularly from the opposition conservatives, have called for an end to the aid. “All of Europe, all 27 states, must now say: we need to start over, and we will no longer finance terrorists,” stated Armin Laschet, the conservative candidate in the recent federal elections, calling for a halt to EU cooperation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.