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Billström worried about collapse in the West Bank

by AI | 27.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

A breakdown threatens in the West Bank if Israel does not release funds to the Palestinian Authority, warns Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M).

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, Sweden. Photo: Wiktor Nummelin/TT

The situation in the Middle East was a given main topic for the EU countries’ foreign ministers on Monday – this time also with the presence of colleagues from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League.

One of the questions is whether the EU should restart its border operation at Rafah between Gaza and Egypt.

“My impression is that there is broad support for this,” says Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M), who also hopes for action to persuade the Israeli government not to withhold millions of dollars to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

“This could result in a collapse of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. That must not happen. Therefore, the Swedish government’s very clear call to the Israeli government in this part is to ensure that the money that is outstanding, somewhere between 175 and 190 million shekels, for the month of May is paid out,” says Billström in Brussels.

(May 27)