That list includes these terror groups, all of which have been proud of their terror acts:
Abu Nidal Organization (Fatah)
al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (Fatah)
Al Qassam Brigades (Hamas)
Hamas
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command
It seems like a reasonable request not to allow EU finds to be redirected to EU-recognized terror groups, right?
Well, Palestinian NGOs freaked out, saying that if there are strings attached to the funding, they'd rather go without. Because to them, giving aid to these groups is righteous. The Palestinian argument is, essentially, we don't distinguish between terrorists and non-terrorists, so asking that the money not be given to terrorists is a form of discrimination.
Really, that's their argument.
And this argument is not only from Hamas and Islamic Jihad and NGOs that fund thm. No, the government of the "State of Palestine" is openly saying that terror groups should get funding like anyone else.
Saeb Erekat objected to the EU:
In an official letter to European Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, Erekat said the new funding conditions that are binding to all the contracting parties to the European Union raise concern among Palestinian NGOs, especially civil society organizations that serve the Palestinian public without discrimination and in line with international legal standards.Can you believe that he says this garbage with a straight face? Terrorists are legitimate political parties? Banning paying terrorists is bad for peace????
He pointed out that among the organizations included in the EU blacklist are Palestinian political parties, which means that the conditions are aimed at disrupting Palestinian political and civil activity, which places a new burden on Palestinian institutions.
“These restrictions directly affect the Palestinian rights under international law, and in particular the right to self-determination. They are not in line with the European Union’s commitment to a two-state solution, peace and stability in the region,” Erekat said.
Hanan Ashrawi wrote a similar letter to Josep Borrell, saying:
...These unfair conditions will hinder actors in Palestinian society from performing their duty towards our people, which is contrary to Palestinian laws and international standards.The most bizarre thing is that the EU wants to give its money away to these corrupt and pro-terror actors so much that they are negotiating over this deal. This story goes into detail:
While we affirm our respect for the European Union's efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and consider them a common interest, we stress here that the European Union must respect the obligations of Palestinian civil society and work in accordance with Palestinian law and the interests of our people.
It is a surreal world we live in where the PLO can say "we don't want your money unless we are free to spend it on terror groups" and the EU responds with "No, let's work something out so we can both be happy."The EU spokesperson’s office asserted to The Media Line that the new clauses aren’t really new, as they’re consistent with EU policy since 2001 to avoid financing groups classified as terrorist organizations. “We don’t have a single name of a Palestinian persona, but only movements and armed wings. We are not asking them [the NGOs] to recognize any [Palestinian] political party as a terrorist group, but [only] to refrain from funding them in any way.”
In addition, the spokesperson’s office explained that what the EU is asking for is in line with Palestinian law, which prevents civil society organizations from funding any political party.
“We [including acting European Union Representative Thomas Nicholson] met in December with representatives of Palestinian civil society institutions and discussed their reservations regarding the new funding terms.” The office added, “The EU is waiting for a response on their position in light of the clarifications we have made, in order for the European-Palestinian partnership to continue, especially in areas threatened by Israeli actions.”
