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Finland ends UNRWA funding agreement amid terrorism allegations

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Finland will not renew its multi-year funding agreement with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) when it expires this year.
  • The decision follows previous suspensions of funding due to allegations that UNRWA employees participated in Hamas's October 7 attacks.
  • Finland will redirect humanitarian aid to organizations like the World Food Programme, while Israel praised the decision, calling UNRWA a "hotbed of terrorism."

Finland has announced it will not renew its multi-year funding agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) once the current contract concludes this year. The agreement, signed in March 2023, committed Finland to contributing 20 million euros to the agency over several years.

This decision by Finnish Foreign Trade Minister Ville Tavio follows a previous suspension of contributions in 2024. At that time, Tavio cited allegations that UNRWA employees were involved in Hamas's October 7 massacre against Israel. He stated Finland "must make sure that not a single euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists" and called for a thorough investigation.

must make sure that not a single euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists

— Ville TavioFinnish Foreign Trade Minister's statement in January 2024 regarding the suspension of UNRWA funding.

While Finland halted funding in early 2024, contributions were reinstated in March of that year. Tavio then cited UN efforts to improve oversight as the reason for resuming payments, though he acknowledged ongoing concerns about risk management and the incomplete uncovering of ties between UNRWA employees and Hamas.

It is good to see more countries recognizing the undeniable truth in light of the conclusive evidence of UNRWA employees’ involvement in the October 7 massacre and UNRWA’s inseparable links to Hamas.

— Israeli Foreign MinistryPraising Finland's decision to discontinue its funding agreement with UNRWA.

Israel's Foreign Ministry praised Finland's decision, stating, "It is good to see more countries recognizing the undeniable truth in light of the conclusive evidence of UNRWA employees’ involvement in the October 7 massacre and UNRWA’s inseparable links to Hamas." The ministry characterized UNRWA as "a hotbed of terrorism."

Finland has clarified that it will continue its humanitarian efforts in Palestinian territories by contributing to other organizations, such as the World Food Programme. UNRWA has faced increasing scrutiny and investigations since the 2024 allegations, with multiple employees reportedly found to have participated in the October 7 attacks or maintained ties to groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

UNRWA is a hotbed of terrorism. It is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

— Israeli Foreign MinistryCharacterizing UNRWA following Finland's decision to end its funding agreement.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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