A remarkable lack of urgency

The US has provisionally agreed with a suggestion from other Quartet members to render assistance to Palestinians. What it comprises and how it will be administered is yet to be designed by the EU, another Quartet member. As with the EU, the other members of the Quartet, the UN and Russia, are keen to see aid sent to Palestinians as a matter of urgency.

While some officials claim that with the US giving provisional approval for "a well designed, temporary and clearly defined mechanism" (as stated by Condoleezza Rice), they fail to note that the US agreement is subject to their approval of the mechanism for distribution of funds or aid (and subject to revision after three months). Therefore, if the EU proposal does not meet criteria set by the US, the assistance will not be given.

The EU commissioner for external relations has said European experts will meet "as soon as possible" to determine a mechanism, but "it was complicated and would take time". What is apparent is the lack of urgency. While bureaucrats take their time to meet and then determine a course of action, desperate Palestinians are going without basic needs, including medicines and medical aid.

At fault is the apparent fear nations have of going against the wishes of the US. Most international banks will not carry out any transfer of funds to the Palestinians or the Hamas-led government, for fear of reprisals by the US for contravening their anti-terrorist laws.

Similarly, Arab League nations have shown impotence and not deemed it urgent to help their fellow Arabs in Palestine. It seems it is more valuable to maintain good relations with Washington.

Once Arab countries called an oil boycott over the issue of Palestine. But that was another time.