Norway FM: Donor conference pledges $5.4 bn for Gaza

[Jefferson23]

CAIRO (AFP) -- International envoys pledged about $5.4 billion in reconstruction aid for the Gaza Strip at a meeting in Egypt on Sunday, Norway's foreign minister said.

"The participants pledged approximately $5.4 billion," said Boerge Brende, reading out a closing statement at the Cairo conference which Norway co-hosted.

The donors "committed themselves to start disbursing their assistance as soon as possible," Brende said.

Half of the pledges will go for reconstruction and the rest as unspecified aid to the Palestinian Authority, he said.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=732829

[oberliner]

1. Puts the lie to the "no one cares about Palestinians" claim

That's a pretty sizable chunk of change from the international community.

[Jefferson23]

2. Lie is a strong word. Most people familiar with the politics of the conflict well recognize who

has had the power to bring the conflict to an end and who does not.

Not surprised Norway is being generous.

[King_David]

5. The money isn't from Norway

Some yes.

[Jefferson23]

6. Right, and they're being generous for their part..what am I missing? n/t

[King_David]

8. Ok sorry thought you meant Norway donated 5.4 B

[Jefferson23]

12. Oh, ok. I can see how it could look that way..no problem. n/t

[oberliner]

13. But the international community certainly does not ignore the plight of the Palestinians

Wouldn't you agree?

[Jefferson23]

3. Qatar pledges $1 billion at Gaza donor conference

CAIRO (AFP) -- Qatar promised $1 billion in reconstruction aid for Gaza at a donor conference in Cairo on Sunday, topping US and European pledges for the devastated Palestinian enclave.

"Qatar announces its participation with $1 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza," said Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, the foreign minister of the gas-rich country.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=732799

[Jefferson23]

4. Abbas, Kerry discuss Gaza reconstruction, peace process

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas met with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Cairo following an international donor's conference for the battered Gaza Strip, a Ma'an reporter said.

The two discussed international efforts for rebuilding Gaza and reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Other Palestinian officials were present at the meeting as well, including chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat, Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeineh, the head of the Palestinian Authority's central intelligence, Majid Farraj, and Ambassador to Cairo Jamal al-Shoubaki.

AFP reported earlier that in his meeting with Abbas, Kerry was expected to try to dissuade him from seeking further recognition of the Palestinians at the United Nations, including joining the International Criminal Court.


http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=732813

[GitRDun]

7. I am sure Israel is making a generous contribution!

[oberliner]

10. Israel was not permitted to attend the conference

Several Arab countries said they would refuse to take part if any representative from Israel was present.

[GitRDun]

11. I guess they are off the hook then

I am completely against these interventionist policies that result in nothing but the death of innocents and the creation of new "terrorists".

[Carlos Rodrigez]

9. This $5.4 billion

is going to be thrown down the toilet. See http://www.democraticunderground.com/113483912