Austria says it is ending suspension of aid to Palestine

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Dec 2023 16:35
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Austria has opted to end the suspension of aid to Palestinians following a review that determined there were no signs of funds being utilized to "back or endorse terrorism."

Palestinians search for their family members and neighbors under rubble after Israeli strikes on Rafah in southern Gaza on October 13, 2023. (AFP)

Austria has decided to lift the suspension of aid to Palestinians after a review concluded that there were no indications of the funds being used to "support or promote terrorism."

Following Austria's initial announcement of aid suspension on October 9, Germany also initiated a review of its aid to the Palestinians.

The European Union conducted its own review and confirmed last month that there was no evidence of funds being directed to the Palestinian Resistance group, Hamas, assuring the continuation of assistance.

The statement from Austria's Foreign Ministry reads, "There is no indication that Austrian development projects funded by the ADA (Austrian Development Agency) were misused to fund or promote terrorism or to spread anti-Semitic content."

It is worth noting that Austria's Foreign Ministry stated that it had examined nine projects funded by the country, with a combined value of 17.5 million euros ($18.8 million).

Thousands rally in Europe against Gaza genocide, demand ceasefire

This is happening shortly after hundreds protested in Berlin on December 4 to demand an end to the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.

Demonstrators brandished placards expressing outrage at "Israel's" daily airstrikes and demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as per Anadolu Agency.

Protesters criticized Germany's complicity in the crimes by providing military support for "Israel" and chanted: “Israel bombs, Germany pays," “Viva Palestine”, and “Free, free Palestine.”

Pro-Palestine rallies have been prohibited in parts of Germany in recent weeks after authorities claimed they were antisemitic, and schools in Berlin have even been given permission to ban the traditional Palestinian scarf, the koufiyyeh, something activist groups are calling a restriction on free expression.

Last month, the Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie, a contemporary photo exhibition that was due to be held in the German cities of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Heidelberg, in March 2024, was canceled after Bangladeshi curator Shahidul Alam posted content in support of Gaza and Palestine amid the Israeli genocide.

The organizers of the exhibition have reportedly discussed the sensitivity of the situation, urging Alam to retract his statements due to Germany's Nazi past and its acclaimed responsibility to ensure the security of "Israel". Alam, on the other hand, continued sharing similar pro-Palestine sentiments and content.

Also late last month, a poll conducted by the Kantar Public Research Group for the Koerber Foundation revealed that more than half of Germans believe their country should exercise greater restraint when reacting to international crises.

The survey showed that 54% of Germans expressed this view, marking a two percentage point increase compared to answers received to the same question last year.