 Donations to the Palestinians must be transferred in a "clear and legitimate" way — not secretly — Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar said after meeting Arab League officials in Cairo. His visit came a day after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh appealed to Arab leaders to stand up to the United States, whom he accused of imposing a blockade on the Palestinians. Haniyeh also called on Palestinian bankers to "show the necessary patriotism".
Zahar took a hard line against banks who refuse such transfers, saying the Palestinian government "will not deal with" banks that refuse to "ensure the money transfers". He said a delegation from the Palestinian finance ministry was meeting Arab League officials in Cairo to study "suggestions and alternatives" for fund transfers. Options include transferring the money through funds set up by the World Bank to channel foreign aid to the Palestinians. Zahar also said the Palestinian cabinet is studying a 2002 Arab League peace plan that calls for full recognition of Israel in exchange for a return to pre-1967 war borders. |