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'$7bn pledged' in Palestinian aid Palestinians 'win $7bn aid vow'
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign aid of at least $7bn (£3.5bn) has been pledged to the Palestinians at a major donors' conference in Paris, France's foreign minister has said.Foreign aid of at least $7bn (£3.5bn) has been pledged to the Palestinians at a major donors' conference in Paris, France's foreign minister has said.
The figure cited by Bernard Kouchner exceeded the $5.6bn over three years which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had asked for.The figure cited by Bernard Kouchner exceeded the $5.6bn over three years which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had asked for.
The pledge by 68 states and organisations came at the biggest such meeting in a decade.The pledge by 68 states and organisations came at the biggest such meeting in a decade.
The money is earmarked for creating a viable Palestinian state.The money is earmarked for creating a viable Palestinian state.
But the package was rejected by Mr Abbas's rivals, Hamas.But the package was rejected by Mr Abbas's rivals, Hamas.
The Islamist group, which wrested control of the Gaza Strip from Mr Abbas in June, was not invited to the conference, which it called a "declaration of war" on it.The Islamist group, which wrested control of the Gaza Strip from Mr Abbas in June, was not invited to the conference, which it called a "declaration of war" on it.
Sami Abu-Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, pointed to a call by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the talks for Palestinians to unite behind Mr Abbas and his statement that there "would be no peace with a group that refuses to recognise Israel - meaning Hamas". Two themes dominated the conference, BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports from Paris: the need for donors to shore up the Palestinian Authority and the need for Israel to change Palestinian lives for the better.
Mr Abbas told the conference that without the aid, the Palestinian territories faced a "total catastrophe" and he challenged Israel to freeze all settlement activity. Our editor notes that attempts to help the 1.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are still hamstrung by the desire of the donors, Israel and Mr Abbas not to do anything that might assist Hamas.
'Moment of truth''Moment of truth'
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in turn called for "the continued and unwavering support of the international community" for the Palestinian Authority. Mr Abbas told the conference that without the aid, the Palestinian territories faced a "total catastrophe" and he challenged Israel to freeze all settlement activity.
KNOWN DONOR PLEDGES European Union: $650m in 2008US: $555m in 2008France: $300m over three yearsGermany: $290m over three yearsJapan: $150m South Korea: $13m over three years Where will the aid go?ICRC demands actionKNOWN DONOR PLEDGES European Union: $650m in 2008US: $555m in 2008France: $300m over three yearsGermany: $290m over three yearsJapan: $150m South Korea: $13m over three years Where will the aid go?ICRC demands action
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in turn called for "the continued and unwavering support of the international community" for the Palestinian Authority.
"This conference is literally the government's last hope to avoid bankruptcy," she said."This conference is literally the government's last hope to avoid bankruptcy," she said.
Monday's summit follows last month's US-backed Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland, which launched negotiations aimed at creating a Palestinian state within the next 12 months.Monday's summit follows last month's US-backed Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland, which launched negotiations aimed at creating a Palestinian state within the next 12 months.
A key element of the renewed peace talks is the US-backed road map, which requires Israel to freeze settlement-building activity and the Palestinians to disarm militants.A key element of the renewed peace talks is the US-backed road map, which requires Israel to freeze settlement-building activity and the Palestinians to disarm militants.
After the Annapolis talks, Israel unveiled plans to expand a settlement on occupied land between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.After the Annapolis talks, Israel unveiled plans to expand a settlement on occupied land between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Mr Abbas told the conference that both the Palestinians and Israelis should each meet their road map commitments "without excuses".Mr Abbas told the conference that both the Palestinians and Israelis should each meet their road map commitments "without excuses".
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Israel would have to reconcile its legitimate security needs with allowing Palestinians more freedom of movement.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told the summit that Israel was committed to its obligations, "including in relation to settlement activities".Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told the summit that Israel was committed to its obligations, "including in relation to settlement activities".
"We do not want the image of Israel in the Palestinian mind to be a soldier at a checkpoint," she added."We do not want the image of Israel in the Palestinian mind to be a soldier at a checkpoint," she added.
'Abhorrent conditions''Abhorrent conditions'
The aid package formally includes Gaza, but analysts say most of the money will go to the West Bank, controlled by Mr Abbas.The aid package formally includes Gaza, but analysts say most of the money will go to the West Bank, controlled by Mr Abbas.
Gaza is dependent on aid from the international community Mechanics of peace talksAnalysis: After AnnapolisGaza is dependent on aid from the international community Mechanics of peace talksAnalysis: After Annapolis
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the summit that people in Gaza were living in the "most abhorrent conditions" that had "devastating effects on the economy and on family livelihoods".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the summit that people in Gaza were living in the "most abhorrent conditions" that had "devastating effects on the economy and on family livelihoods".
The new envoy of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators, ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, told donors their pledges would be "indispensable" to the creation of a Palestinian state.The new envoy of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators, ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, told donors their pledges would be "indispensable" to the creation of a Palestinian state.
The biggest pledges came from the European Union and the US, which promised $650m and $555m respectively.The biggest pledges came from the European Union and the US, which promised $650m and $555m respectively.
It is the biggest gathering of its kind since 1996.It is the biggest gathering of its kind since 1996.
The World Bank and several aid organisations have said that until Israel lifts its system of restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods, giving more money will not rebuild the Palestinians' economy.The World Bank and several aid organisations have said that until Israel lifts its system of restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods, giving more money will not rebuild the Palestinians' economy.