Two-state solution in jeopardy due to fiscal crisis, says Palestinian minister

PA needs a major infusion of cash to prepare for statehood, Nabeel Kassis tells donor nations

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Palestinian finance minister is warning that the two-state solution is in jeopardy if the Palestinian Authority doesn’t get a major infusion of cash to alleviate its severe fiscal crisis.

Nabeel Kassis said the authority needs money to function to prepare for statehood, noting that donors who pledged $300 million have not paid up. He also urged the international community to go beyond expressions of support and take action to create “the political horizon” to quickly end the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Kassis spoke after a meeting of 27 donor nations, global financial institutions and representatives of the Quartet of Mideast peace mediators — the UN, US, European Union and Russia.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who chaired Sunday’s meeting, said the Palestinians’ economic situation “is dire and is getting worse.”