AID TO PALIS SOARS SINCE HAMAS ELECTION

Aid to Palestinians Increases Since Hamas Election - Steven Stotsky
Following Hamas' victory in last year's Palestinian elections, the international community suspended direct aid to the PA government. But in fact, aid to the Palestinians has substantially increased since Hamas took over. In order to bypass Hamas, Western governments simply redirected aid to the office of Mahmoud Abbas, who at least in theory recognizes Israel.

Total donations to the Palestinians in 2006 amounted to at least $775 million, more than doubling total foreign donations reported by the IMF in 2005. This leaves the Palestinians as the largest recipients per capita of charitable assistance in the world. The decline in the Palestinian economy has occurred despite the increase in foreign support, and not because of any supposed decrease in aid. (CAMERA)