EU no longer the “biggest donor” to Palestinians – Iran filled the vacuum

Source: Aljazeera, 16-1-2007
Iran replaced the European Union as the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority, according to a top official in the Hamas-led government.
Ahmed Yusuf, an adviser to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismel Haniya, said that Hamas secured promises of donations amounting to £500 million in visits recently carried out by the party's officials around the Muslim world.
The largest pledge was from Tehran, Yusuf said.
"Iran is the most generous country. They have promised a lot and given a lot. We wish the Arab countries were as generous," he added.
Last year, Iran pledged to donate £125m to the Palestinian Authority to help Hamas survive an international boycott imposed on the party after it won the legislative elections in January 2005.
The Palestinian Authority has been facing a severe financial crisis after the U.S. and the EU, who classify Hamas as a (so-called) `terrorist` group, cut off direct aid to the Palestinians to pressure Hamas to recognize "Israel" and give up anti-"Israeli" attacks.
"Israel" also suspended customs and tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, making it unable to pay civil servants` salaries.
Moreover, Hamas says it is unable to transfer funds to the Palestinian territory because Washington pressures banks not to do business with the Palestinian government.
Hamas officials have partially circumvented the embargo by bringing in millions of dollars of cash through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The European Union Border Assistance Mission, which monitors the Rafah terminal, said Hamas ministers have carried £28m in cash into Gaza.
Iran's financial aid to the Hamas government adds to the fears of the U.S., "Israel" and the Gulf states over the emergence of Tehran as a regional power.
Many analysts say that the international aid boycott of the Hamas-led authority enabled Iran to increase its influence in the region. Previously, Palestinians were closer to Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this week, Yuval Diskin, the head of "Israel`s" secret service, Shin Bet, warned that international sanctions against the Hamas-led government were forcing it into a closer relationship with Iran.