The European Commission is facing mounting criticism for an unprecedented nine-month delay in providing requested documentation detailing the allocation of funds for Palestinian aid. Moritz Körner, a Member of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee and representing the Free Democratic Party (FDP), initially requested the records on January 29th, as reported by Bild.
Despite repeated assurances, the documents covering the period from 2014 to 2025 remain unreleased, revealing a pattern of obstruction highlighted by correspondence obtained by Bild. Körner characterized the delay as a deliberate act of political concealment, asserting, “Nine months of silence isn’t an administrative mishap – it’s a political will to hide something”. He emphasized the need for transparency regarding the effectiveness of past aid initiatives, particularly as the EU prepares further assistance for reconstruction efforts. “I want to know if our money funded schools or explosives” he stated, directly raising concerns about potential misuse of funds.
The European Taxpayers’ Association has vocally condemned the Commission’s actions. Its president, Michael Jäger, deemed the situation “an unacceptable affront and a disregard for Parliament and the public”. While acknowledging the importance of reconstruction aid, Jäger stressed the critical necessity of establishing controls over the disbursement of funds before any financial support reaches the Gaza Strip. He warned that any indication of past misappropriation of funds should trigger an immediate investigation by the EU Public Prosecutor’s Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), suggesting potential criminal activity. The continued delay is intensifying scrutiny of the Commission’s oversight practices and raising serious questions about accountability in the allocation of EU development aid.