US Secretary Of State Hilary Clinton has urged Arab countries to do more financially for the Palestinian Authority.
In a move sure to unsettle some in Israel, Clinton, speaking to a pro-Palestine assembly on Wednesday has said that Arab nations need to do more than just plan and make commitments "to support making the state of Palestine a reality." Currently the EU and the US are the PA’s main donors.
Clinton, who was at a Washington meeting of the American Task Force on Palestine also said that a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine was “essential” and in a repeat of sentiments she has said to Israel, suggested to the Palestinians to think more about what negotiations can offer, rather than what may have to be sacrificed.
Clinton also used the event to praise the PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad over his two-year plan to make Palestine ready for statehood, via political and economic reform and development programs. She also said that during Fayyad’s custodianship there was more safety for Palestinians, improvements in the legal system as well as improvements in tax collection.
Clinton used the speech to reaffirm the Obama administration’s will to reach a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, no matter what the difficulties.
At present negotiations between the two parties are stalled over the issue of Israel’s continuing settlements, which the Palestinians fear will rob them of a contiguous state.
The PA relies heavily on outside donations for survival, as the economic situation within the West Bank and Gaza is less-than-impressive.
