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Palestinian Says Ban Could Lead to Chaos
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"Nobody needs the collapse of the Palestinian Authority," a senior Israeli security official said in a recent briefing, speaking on condition of anonymity. "When I say nobody, I mean nobody."
In a report sent Monday to quartet members, the World Bank said its prediction in mid-March that aid cuts and other economic sanctions would lead to a 30 percent drop in the average personal income of Palestinians this year was "too rosy."
The World Bank report states that the Palestinian government may be able to count only on its domestic income of roughly $25 million a month. As a result, it warns, "the PA is unlikely to be able to provide basic services or maintain law and order."
In the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, the military wings of the rival Fatah and Hamas movements clashed Monday before dawn, leaving two Fatah gunmen and another from Hamas dead. Four rockets landed in southern Israel without causing injuries. Israeli artillery shelled northern Gaza in retaliation; Haniyeh spoke against the distant thumping of Israeli guns.
The World Bank report said international donors could pay the salaries of Palestinian public employees through an existing account known as the Emergency Services Support Program, which could be audited by a third party.
But the United States and European governments have resisted doing that. An assessment by the European Commission said that "the looming crisis is not the result of the suspension of aid -- nor will the crisis be averted by a resumption of direct aid."
The situation will be alleviated only by Israel's release of tax revenue and the opening of the main cargo crossing, the assessment states. Israel has kept it closed for most of the year, citing security.
The aid cutoffs appear to be increasing anti-U.S. sentiment here. "The problem is the West, not us," said Mustafa Hasoona, 33, a pharmacist. "If they don't respect democracy, they shouldn't call for it," he said, noting that Hamas rose to power in elections long advocated by the United States.
He flipped through a tattered notebook on his counter, its pages filled with names of customers and the sums they owe him. Many of them are taking half-doses of medications, he said, and mothers are diluting iron supplements for infants to make them last longer.
"We are with this government we elected," Hasoona said. "I voted for it."
