The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, expressed his position this morning regarding the controversy over the withdrawal of European Union aid to Palestine. In an interview on Cadena Ser, he stated that Spain defends the continuity of “cooperation” and stressed the importance of do not mix Hamas “which is a terrorist group, with the Palestinian populationthe Palestinian National Authority or the UN projects on the ground.

Albares recognizes the possibility of making adjustments, such as reviewing the means to guarantee the safety of the cooperators who apply the aid, but highlights that Spain is very interested in keeping real aid flowing. He proposes, for example, that in the event of damage to a hospital or infrastructure, aid be redirected to where it is needed and cannot be applied due to the damage, but he strongly opposes cutting off funding completely: “We are totally opposed.”

As the country that currently holds the six-month Presidency of the European Council, Spain will be the first to address this issue this afternoon during the meeting of foreign ministers in Brusselsand warns that he will present his points of view firmly.

Albares has already had conversations with commissioners and ministers from other member states and has found a majority who consider that the EU’s cooperation with the Palestinian National Authority and UN bodies does not pose significant problems. “Above all, Any decision other than to continue is counterproductive, because if we are not subtracting authority from those Palestinians who are in the field of peace, who experience Hamas attacks with atrocity like us, would be unfairly punished if an operation that they are going to need more than ever is cut,” he said.

The European Commission announced on Monday an urgent review of European Union aid to Palestine to ensure that it is not indirectly used for terrorist activities against Israel. He also mentioned the possibility of adjusting support programs for the Palestinian population and the Palestinian Authority based on the changing circumstances on the ground following Hamas attacks against Israel. However, it is emphasized that, since payments are not expected in the short term, there will be no suspension of aid.