The support provided by the European Union and Finland will help the Palestinian Authority to meet its financial obligations towards the East Jerusalem hospitals amid the challenging fiscal situation and the ramifications of the ongoing war in Gaza. It will also help these hospitals provide essential healthcare services to Palestinian patients in the occupied Palestinian territory.   

Since 2013, the EU and its Member States have supported the Palestinian Authority with regular contributions to the payment of referrals to East Jerusalem hospitals that have now reached over €188 million. These hospitals are an integral component of the Palestinian healthcare system providing specialized medical services that are not available in the public hospitals.

“With this contribution, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to standing by the Palestinian people, especially during the darkest times of conflict and suffering. In the face of this war, the EU remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting Palestinians across all aspects of life, including the crucial healthcare sector. For years, the EU has diligently worked towards ensuring access to specialized medical services for all Palestinians, recognizing the vital role of institutions like the East Jerusalem hospitals, which have dutifully served Palestinian communities for over five decades. Preserving their invaluable work and presence in East Jerusalem is of paramount importance to us. Moreover, we are firmly committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to reform the health system, striving for efficiency and equity. This contribution underscores our enduring commitment to the Palestinian people and their aspirations for a future independent Palestinian State," said the European Union Representative, Alexandre Stutzmann.

“Finland is a long-standing supporter to the East Jerusalem hospitals. Palestinians from the East Jerusalem, Gaza and West Bank are in a dire need of high quality medical services under the financial crisis and the war in Gaza. Our financial support through PEGASE creates stability and alleviates life of many Palestinian families", said Ambassador Päivi Peltokoski, Representative of Finland.

Background

Since 2008, most of the European Union's assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) is channelled through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support, supporting the PA reform process and various national development plans. PEGASE supports the PA’s recurrent expenditures, mainly the salaries and pensions of civil servants, the social allowances paid through the cash transfer programme and part of the costs of referrals to the East Jerusalem Hospitals. Since February 2008, over €3 billion were disbursed through PEGASE by the European Commission and various development partners, mostly EU Member States. In addition, the EU provides assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as well as through a wide range of other humanitarian and development cooperation projects.