EU gives $274mn for Palestinian health, education programmes

The EU on Tuesday released $274mn in aid to support the Palestinian Authority's health and education programmes and offer services to Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.

The European Commission, the executive of the 28-nation bloc, released the aid as it says it is trying to help Palestinian institutions become more accountable and democratic to prepare them for running a future Palestinian state. 

"Through this package, the EU supports the daily lives of Palestinians in the fields of education and health, protecting the poorest families," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, adding Palestinian refugees in the region would be given access to essential services.

"But these steps are not enough; Palestinian institutions must continue to grow stronger, become more transparent, more accountable and more democratic," Mogherini said in a statement.

"Viable and inclusive institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights, are crucial in view of the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state."

The announcement comes as a strike against the Palestinian Authority reportedly involving 35,000 West Bank teachers continues for a third week.

More than one million Palestinian children are believed to be impacted by the dispute in which teachers are calling for the implementation of an agreement made in 2013 that guaranteed their rights and also laid out plans for salaries, raises and promotions.

Early on in the strike, PA security forces arrested 20 teachers and two principals for questioning and held them for 24 hours before their release.