Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 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 toward more compromise and would give it equal billing with Western-backed moderates in the Palestinian coalition government.
According to a draft resolution obtained by The Associated Press, Arabs would add about $150 million in funding each year to the annual $750 million economic and financial package they have pledged to the Palestinians each year since 2001.
Only part of the $750 million has actually gone to the Palestinians in any year, however, because many Arab governments have balked at their pledges.
