Arab gov’ts hope to up Palestinian aid
Arab governments hope to increase aid to the Palestinians, including channeling more money to the newly formed Palestinian unity government, according to a document prepared for this week’s summit of Arab leaders.
The proposal, expected to be endorsed by Arab leaders later this week, comes as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the region to seek common footing with Arab allies on how to revive the stalled Middle East peace process.
Arab diplomats said the aid increase would be aimed at coaxing the militant Hamas movement toward more compromise and would give it equal billing with Western-backed moderates in the Palestinian coalition government.