Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is threatening to continue slashing funds to the Gaza Strip unless Hamas dismantles its rival government in the Palestinian enclave.
“We transfer $1.5 billion a year, but after Hamas declared its own government, we discontinued 25 percent of our support to Gaza,” Abbas told a delegation of visiting Israeli lawmakers in Ramallah.
“We fear that if there is no change soon, it will gradually reach 100%,” he said.
“We perceive Hamas as an effort to separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip, and this an expression of political distrust in the Palestinian leadership, more than a moral or diplomatic step.”
Abbas made the remarks during a meeting with Israeli opposition lawmakers headed by Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon.
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