The Swedish government announced it will give the Palestinian Authority (PA) $6.9 million in aid to pay wages and pensions to civilians. "A functioning Palestinian Authority is a prerequisite for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson said in a statement. "The Palestinian Authority is in a very difficult economic situation," she added.
Sweden dished out $4.73 billion in development aid last year - one percent of its gross domestic product - making it the world's most generous donor, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.