Hamas criticized the conference of Palestinian Authority donor states in Paris on Monday, saying the assembly was a “plot.”  “We support any kind of aid, financial or otherwise,” spokesmen explained, “but this conference is a dangerous conspiracy.”  PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the conference, saying Hamas must give up control of Gaza in order to rejoin the PA.

Donor nations agreed Monday to donate $7.4 billion, surpassing the PA’s request for $5.6 billion.  Among the top donors were the European Union, the United States, France, Britain, and Germany.  Approximately 70 nations attended the event.