AMMAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday that Israel would do whatever possible to help alleviate the financial plight of the Palestinian people.

   Olmert made the remarks at a joint news conference with Jordanian King Abdullah II after a 90-minute meeting in Amman.   

   Abdulla said that peace negotiations between Israel and the PNAis the most important issue.

   Abdullah made clear on Wednesday that Olmert's plan to unilaterally evacuate most of the West Bank settlements is a threat to Jordan and to Mideast regional stability.

   The unilateral steps "would raise question marks and a sense of insecurity not only among the Palestinians, but among all the partners of peace in the region," he said. 

   The Hamas-led government has resisted massive pressure to renounce violent resistance, recognize Israel's right to exist and abide by signed peace deals with Israel, resulting in an acute financial crisis.

   The European Union -- the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians-- and the United States both suspended direct aid to the PNA after Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas won January elections, while Israel has also blocked the transfer of revenues.

   The Middle East Quartet comprising the European Union, the United Sates, Russia and the United Nations decided to create an aid mechanism that would bypass the Hamas-led government during a meeting in New York on May 9.

   Olmert said after a summit with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak late Sunday that he intended to meet PNA President Mahmoud Abbas and that negotiations with the Palestinians were Israel's priority.  Enditem