G8 Summit Pledges $3 Billion Aid
for the Palestinian Authority

Speaking at the end of the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in Scotland on July 8, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that the members had agreed on a substantial package of help for the Palestinian Authority amounting to up to $3 billion. No timetable was announced for provision of the funds. The funds are to focus on Palestinain living standards and help its government in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Arab-American and Palestinian Groups Condemn London Bombings

Several Palestinian and Arab American organizations issued condemnations of the London bombings shortly after they occurred on July 7. MIFTAH, a non-governmental, non-partisan Jerusalem-based institution dedicated to fostering democracy and good governance within Palestinian society through promoting public accountability, transparency, the free flow of information and ideas and the challenging of stereotyping at home and abroad, unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacts and want to see all the perpetors brought to justice. The Arab American Institute (AAI) President Dr. James Zogby, issued the following statement: "Like all Americans, we are angered by this act of terrorism and grieve with the people of Great Britain for their losses, These actions are inexcusable and nothing should distract us from our collective resolve to eliminate the threat of terror that has taken so many lives and caused too much pain."