The European Commission expressed its intention to examine its assistance to UNRWA, the UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees, due to allegations involving certain UNRWA personnel in the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The EU executive expressed its commitment to assess future funding for UNRWA, citing “highly serious allegations” regarding the agency’s staff. The Commission urged a swift, independent investigation into UNRWA personnel to confirm their non-involvement in the attacks.
Seven EU member states, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, have already announced the suspension of payments to UNRWA pending investigations. However, Spain, Ireland, and Luxembourg will continue to support the agency to safeguard its critical work.
The EU, the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Gaza, has quadrupled payments to over €100 million since the conflict erupted in October. For 2021 to 2023, the EU’s contribution to UNRWA’s budget amounted to €281 million.
The EU executive indicated that no additional funding to UNRWA is anticipated until the end of February, pending the outcome of the UN investigations. Humanitarian aid will, however, continue unabated through partner organizations.
The Commission previously paused development aid to the Palestinian territories after the October 7 attacks, conducting an audit to ensure EU funds didn’t reach terrorist groups, with no evidence of such diversion found. Now, the EU calls on UNRWA to permit “EU-appointed independent external experts” to audit the agency, reinforcing control systems against staff involvement in terrorist activities.
