Die Schweiz soll das UNRWA nach dem Appell der Bürger weiter unterstützen
Published: Tuesday, Apr 30th 2024, 10:01
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Several dozen Swiss personalities are calling on Switzerland to resume support for the Palestinian relief organization UNRWA. Among them are former SP Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Ruth Dreifuss.
There is no evidence that the UN agency "has played a damaging role in this conflict", they write in a newspaper advertisement published on Monday and Tuesday in several newspapers in French- and German-speaking Switzerland.
According to the appeal, the UN relief organization is currently in a position to provide substantial humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population thanks to its experience on the ground and the existing structures.
The undersigned "Swiss citizens" call on elected representatives and "our authorities to honor our commitments to fund UNRWA and thus respect the humanitarian values of our country".
In addition to the two former SP Federal Councillors, the appeal was signed by former diplomats, journalists, intellectuals, academics, sportspeople, artists and "other citizens who are committed to the democratic and humanitarian values of our country".
Switzerland is one of the UN agency's largest donors. However, it has suspended payment of the planned CHF 20 million after Israel accused UNRWA employees of being linked to the massacre on October 7.
©Keystone/SDA
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