Speaking to the Israel CPA Conference in Eilat, MK (Likud) Avi Dichter, who was recently appointed as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, explained that most of the US and EU funding to assist Gazans ends up in the hands of the Hamas regime. Dichter, who is a retired director of the Shin Bet explained to his audience that the US gives $350 million annually in addition to the EU’s $450 million, and most of this sum ends up funding the terrorist regime.

Providing a brief regional assessment, he explained there is Israel, the PA (Palestinian Authority) and Hamas, and PA Chairman Abu Mazen has not been in Gaza for nine years and unfortunately he lacks the courage to take the steps towards peace.

Dichter was appointed chairman over the prestigious committee last week when former chairman Tzachi Hanegbi was appointed a Minister-without-Portfolio, assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)