Should the Federal Republic give financial aid to the West Bank, which is self-governed by the Palestinians?
After the unspeakable appearance of Palestinian President Abbas in Berlin, one might be inclined to demand that these payments be stopped.
After all, funds amounting to several tens of millions of euros are flowing from Germany to the West Bank, where three million people live.
In addition to funds from the federal budget, which also benefit the West Bank via the United Nations, the churches and non-governmental organizations are also involved.
They help schools and hospitals to run.
Most of the funds are project-related.
Israel has an interest in the grants
Only a small part goes to the corrupt autonomy authority, which Abbas heads, as budget support.
Monthly pensions are paid out of the budget to the few whom Israel has condemned as terrorists.
Therefore, to question all the help does not go far enough.
Without external help, the Palestinian Authority (and thus public order in the West Bank) would collapse.
More radical forces would fill the vacuum.
It is therefore in Israel's stated interest that the PA functions.
Otherwise Israel, which is an occupying power under international law, would have to take over the administration itself and provide the services that are now being financed from foreign funds, including German funds.