Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged the European Union to restore funding to his government, in order to prevent the Palestinian territories from sliding into what he calls an abyss and a new cycle of conflict. In an address to the European Parliament Tuesday, Abbas said the recent European aid cut-off threatens to make a deteriorating economic and social situation in the territories even worse.
The EU and the United States have frozen aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority because of Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence. Israel is withholding about 50 million dollars each month in tax revenue that it collects for the Palestinians.
Abbas said the Hamas-led government must be given a chance to adapt to the basic requirements of the international community.