After receiving the funds from Israel and additional aid from the United States and European countries, the Palestinian Finance Ministry decided to pay the monthly salaries of government members, including dismissed Hamas ministers and the group's representatives in the Legislative Council.
Each of these officials received on Monday NIS 12,000 (about $2,836) from Palestinian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Salam Fayyad's treasury. One of the people to receive this sum was former Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar, one of Hamas' most radical members.
And just so the Israelis know they are not on the hook for the whole tab the Toronto Star is reporting that the Canadian taxpayers will now be stepping forward (courtesy of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government) to up the collection kitty for this new improved Palestinian Authority as well:
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government is joining the new push for a breakthrough in Middle East peace efforts by resuming financial support for the embattled Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas.
The federal government yesterday earmarked $8 million for the Palestinian Authority and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay signalled millions more would likely follow in coming months. (..)While Canada's initial commitment is only $8 million, MacKay said it could be quickly expanded to reach the $35 million level of support for Palestinians provided by Ottawa in 2005. (…)But Canada has been given "certain indications that positive steps have been made to reform Fatah," MacKay said yesterday.
No doubt appointing Hamas’ man, Sheikh Mahmoud Habbash, as Social Welfare & Agriculture Minister in Abbas ‘new reformed’ Palestinian Authority government is just another part of those “positive steps” MacKay quips about.
The longer this Canadian minority government goes on - the more reasons I find for keeping my $1.75 firmly in my own pocket the next time there is a federal election.
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