Brussels: The European Union (EU) has emphasized the necessity for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to expedite reforms as a condition for receiving European funding. This requirement comes amid challenges posed by Hamas’ control over a significant portion of the territory and its refusal to disarm, complicating the EU’s efforts to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza.
According to Deutsche Welle, the EU is hosting a Palestinian donor conference with the participation of up to 60 delegations, including some from Arab nations. The conference aims to assist in Gaza’s reconstruction and ensure the PA’s sustainability, enabling Palestinians to eventually govern Gaza. PA Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa is anticipated to attend the conference in Brussels, where donors will assess the progress of reforms before committing further financial aid.
The EU, as the largest aid provider to the PA, has linked the disbursement of a substantial portion of the €1.6 billion in aid allocated for 2025 to 2027 to the implementation of structural reforms. Guillaume Mercier, an EU Commission spokesperson, highlighted the need for reforms in sectors like education and the restriction of stipends to families of Palestinians detained by Israeli forces.
In conjunction with the donor conference, the EU is conducting a meeting of foreign affairs ministers to discuss contributions towards Gaza’s security and the International Stabilization Force, as proposed in the US ceasefire plan. The EU is also contemplating the expansion of its EUPOL COPPS program to train up to 3,000 Palestinian police officers for potential deployment in Gaza. France has already expressed its readiness to train these officers.
The EU’s initiative aligns with the US-proposed ceasefire plan, which includes the establishment of an International Stabilization Force to support Palestinian police forces. Anouar El Anouni, an EU spokesperson, mentioned that new contributions are being considered in collaboration with regional partners to support Gaza’s future stabilization.
However, the prospect of deploying trained officers remains uncertain until a transition of authority in Gaza occurs. Tahani Mustafa from the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that deployment is unlikely until a new governing authority, possibly a committee of Palestinian technocrats, takes charge.
The US ceasefire plan suggests transitional governance by an apolitical Palestinian committee to oversee public services in Gaza, under a Trump-led “board of peace.” With Hamas controlling nearly half of Gaza and ongoing tensions, donors are hesitant to fund reconstruction efforts. The EU’s funds might initially benefit areas under Israeli control, despite most Gazans residing outside these zones.
Reforms have been a focal point of the donor conference agenda. Earlier, an international conference led by France and Saudi Arabia emphasized the need for PA reforms, including changes in the education sector, which Israel claims incites violence. The PA refutes these allegations, asserting that its curriculum reflects its history and identity.
A public disagreement occurred in September when Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused France of ignoring Israeli concerns, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended his country’s stance, highlighting commitments secured from the PA. PA President Mahmoud Abbas has since announced changes to the controversial stipend program and affirmed the review of educational materials to prevent incitement.
President Abbas has assured the EU that elections will occur within a year post-conflict in Gaza, although elections are not a current condition for EU aid. Mustafa from the ECFR critiqued the EU’s reluctance to pressure the PA for electoral reforms due to concerns over a potential Hamas victory akin to 2006.
Experts indicate that the EU supports the PA as a viable alternative to Hamas, aiming to preserve the two-state solution despite the complex challenges ahead. The EU’s ongoing support seeks to maintain the PA’s legitimacy and facilitate progress towards a peaceful resolution.