Aid Cutoff to Palestinians Takes Its Toll

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The Palestinian Petroleum Agency says that in 24 hours it will run out of fuel to run the economy. The World Bank has already predicted a "humanitarian crisis" because the US, Europe and Israel have cut off aid since Hamas won the latest election. An unprecedented action plan by the so-called "Quartet" -- European Union, Russia, the United States and the United Nations -- says it will channel aid directly to the Palestinian people, bypassing the Palestinian Authority now controlled by Hamas. Will that be enough to avert economic and humanitarian crises? Will international pressure bring down Hamas, or will its hard line make it more popular with Palestinian voters? We update the crisis in the West Bank and Gaza, and plans to bypass Hamas by providing assistance directly to the Palestinian people.
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Federal Reserve announces quarter-point rate hike

BusinessWeek article on increase in interest key interest rate

World Bank on pending Palestinian fiscal crisis, remedies

Quartet statement on temporary resumption of aid to Palestinians

Office of Foreign Assets Control on transactions with Hamas-led Palestinian Authority

Weisman's article on US softening its position on Palestinian aid

Morris' article on recent violence in Gaza

New York Times/CBS News Poll on President Bush

Tomasky's article on Democrats' historic opportunity

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney