EU says freeze of Palestinian aid is indefinite

The European Union said Friday its freeze of budget aid for the Palestinian Authority stays in effect indefinitely and again urged Israel to resume transferring to the PA taxes it collects on goods bound for Palestinian areas. EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the Europeans face a dilemma now that a Palestinian government is led by the Islamic Hamas organization that is sworn to destroy Israel. While they are keen to resume their annual aid of €500 million (US$617 million), "there can be no business as usual" with a government that will not renounce violence or recognize Israel, Udwin said.