Big Morning for PA, Over $2 Billion Already Pledged
Though PA leader Mahmoud Abbas has taken no steps to stop terrorism against Israel, he is being greeted at an international conference in Paris with admiration - and money.
The purpose of the one-day conference is to raise up to $5.6 billion dollars to help the Palestinian Authority partially realize its dream of becoming a full-fledged state in the Land of Israel. Though its long-term goal is to replace Israel altogether, as indicated by some of its textbooks and public television shows, at present it is working on forming a state in Gaza, Judea and Samaria alone.
Before the conference even began, the United States had pledged $555 million, the European Union $650 million, and Germany and Great Britain together - $780 million. Japan then stepped in with another $150 million. Delegates from 70 countries and 20 global organizations are present at the Paris conference.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed Abbas to the Elysée Palace ahead of the meeting, while U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice met with Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the home of the American ambassador to France.
PA leaders have expressed the hope and confidence that the summit will deal not only with money, but also with politics. In fact, many of the speakers are expected to pressure Israel to remove checkpoints from Palestinian Authority roads. The checkpoints are in place in order to prevent terrorists from freely traveling and disseminating weapons for the purpose of attacking Jews.
source: arutz-7
