The European Union approved an extra $124 million in emergency aid to the Palestinians to supplement tax monies frozen by Israel.

“It is important that access to essential public services remains uninterrupted and the right to social services is respected,” Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, said May 6, according to Reuters.

Israel recently stopped payment on $105 million it owes the Palestinian Authority on customs’ duties and other taxes because of the unity agreement that Fatah signed with Hamas.

The EU money will go to essential employees and to families in need. — jta