Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed on Tuesday for the European Union to give the Hamas-led government a “chance to adapt” to international requirements and end a freeze in aid to the Palestinian Authority. “Stopping assistance to the Palestinian Authority, cutting aid, will exacerbate the deteriorating economic and social situation,” Abbas told the European Parliament. He said the cuts left the Palestinians facing a “humanitarian catastrophe”. Abbas said he hoped to start a “national dialogue” in the next few days that could lead the Hamas government “to amend its platform” and conform with commitments to the peace process made by the previous Palestinian administration. “Our approach needs the support of the international community,” Abbas told the EU assembly. “The new government must be given the chance to adapt to the basic requirements of the international community.” He warned of dire consequences if the Israeli government goes ahead with plans to impose a border on the Palestinians.