New palestinian aid only scratching the surface of the problem - Kramer

4.24.00pm GMT Mon 18th Dec 2006

On the day Hilary Benn speaks before the International Development Select Committee on Palestinian aid, the Liberal Democrats have criticised the new package announced yesterday for Palestinian refugees for failing to address other underlying economic problems.

Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, Susan Kramer MP said "The extra aid pledged is very welcome, but does little to address the underlying problems.

"The Palestinian economy is unravelling before our eyes. Poverty rates exceed 60% and even food is becoming scarce. The population is effectively in a state of lock-down following the election of the Hamas Government, with borders closed and funds largely cut off.

"The limited remit of UN programmes and international short-term funding mechanisms mean aid is scarcely touching the surface of the problem.

"Unless the collapse of the economy in the West Bank and Gaza is reversed, Palestinian refugees - just like the rest of the population - will have no future."