Spain goes against the grain – increases support for UNRWA

Spain will continue to support the UN refugee agency Unrwa – and will also provide additional support of the equivalent of almost SEK 40 million to secure the organization’s continued operations in the short term.

This is announced by the country’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares in a speech to the Spanish Congress, reports the news agency EFE.

– We will not change our collaboration with Unrwa, it is an irreplaceable organisation, he says.

Since Israel a little over a week ago accused UNRWA employees of having been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, several countries, including the United States and Sweden, have announced that they are pausing their support for the UN agency.

Last week, Unrwa chief Philippe Lazzarin warned that the organization could be forced to close shortly if funding is not resumed.

Following Israel’s accusations, several people have been dismissed and UNRWA has opened an investigation.