One billion Euros in EU aid funds to the Palestinians has been wasted or "lost" due to corruption – according to a harsh report leveling severe criticisms published by the European Court, the official institution located in Luxembourg. This was reported on Sunday in the British Sunday Times, which added that the report has not yet been published.
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According to the report, between 2008 and 2012, Belgium transferred more than €1.95 billion to the West Bank, controlled by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, but Belgium’s impact on the way the money was invested and its use was minimal.
The report noted that the EU investigators visited sites in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, and noticed “significant deficiencies” in the management of aid funds transferred to the Palestinians. Editors of the report complained that measures were not taken to reduce serious risks such as "corruption or funds not used for purposes for which they were transferred."
The organization's spokesman declined to comment.
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