by HAMZA HENDAWI

CAIRO (AP) — Donors at an international conference Sunday promised $2.7 billion to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, but all of the key participants said their efforts would be futile without a permanent peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

U.S.-mediated talks broke down this summer before the 50-day war between Hamas and Israel began — the third since 2008 — and it remains unclear how peace can come about.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, who co-chaired the one-day meeting with Egypt, said pledges of $5.4 billion have been made, but that only half of that money would be "dedicated" to the reconstruction of the coastal strip.

Brende did not say what the other half of the funds would be spent on. Other delegates have spoken of budgetary support, boosting economic activity, emergency relief and other projects.

"The message was clear to the international community that the Palestinian brothers are not alone," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri told a news conference after the meeting.

Qatar offered the biggest donation of $1 billion — once again using its vast wealth to reinforce its role as a regional player. The United Arab Emirates — a Gulf Arab rival of Qatar — promised $200 million.

The pledges followed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's announcement of immediate American assistance of $212 million. The European Union pledged 450 million euros ($568 million), while Turkey, which has been playing a growing regional role, said it was donating $200 million.

Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, in announcing his country's pledge, denounced the "international silence" that surrounded Gaza's destruction.

"While the Palestinian people need financial support, they need more political support from the international community," he said. "A just peace is the only real guarantee for not destroying what we are about to rebuild and reconstruct."

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9e7274e68...nce-opens-cairo

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A damn smart bastid, hey?

And what the hell is a "just peace" for these who teach hate, provoke war and then whine about the consequences.

of the $2.7 billion I wonder what percentage will actually go for its intended purpose? These are damn stupid folks.

And what was Mr. Arafat worth???

"Yasser Arafat diverted nearly $1 billion in public funds to insure his political survival, but a lot more is unaccounted for."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arafats-billions/

And what was Mr. Arafat worth???

"Yasser Arafat diverted nearly $1 billion in public funds to insure his political survival, but a lot more is unaccounted for."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arafats-billions/