On December 20, Sweden announced the cessation of its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
This was reported by Minister for Development Cooperation, Benjamin Dousa, in an interview with TV4. The minister explained that Sweden will no longer provide funding to UNRWA and will instead channel humanitarian aid to Gaza through other avenues. The decision came after Israel banned the agency’s activities, which prompted criticism from the Swedish government. Dousa added that this move will facilitate access to humanitarian assistance.
The minister also noted that there are political reasons for halting Sweden’s cooperation with UNRWA, but the primary reason is that, with Israel’s cessation of cooperation with the agency, it will be more difficult to receive aid through UNRWA.
