Commission postpones decision on UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency
Published: Monday, May 6th 2024, 17:10
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The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Council of States (FAC-S) has postponed its decision on Swiss contributions to the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). According to its own statement, it wants to await the Federal Council's decision on the matter.
In principle, the committee supports the Federal Council's approach to humanitarian aid for the Middle East, as the parliamentary services announced on Monday. It unanimously agreed to the disbursement of a first tranche of CHF 56.2 million. However, this does not concern UNRWA.
According to the information provided, the money will benefit organizations from Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other UN organizations. Funds will also go to international and local non-governmental organizations.
According to the communiqué, the Commission will only discuss the financing of UNRWA once a proposal has been submitted by the Federal Council.
Participation required
When discussing the budget in the winter session, Parliament decided that disbursements for humanitarian aid in the Middle East should be made in tranches in 2024. It also demanded that the foreign policy committees be consulted in advance.
The background to this were accusations that UNRWA schools in the Palestinian territories were inciting hatred against Israel and glorifying terrorist attacks.
The Israeli government also accuses the UN relief organization of several of its employees being involved in the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023. Like other Western countries, Switzerland suspended its payments to UNRWA after the allegations came to light.
Sister commission for release
At the end of April, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council (FAC-N) called on the Federal Council to facilitate an initial payment to UNRWA. It left the amount of the tranche open. The national government is expected to discuss the issue soon.
The National Council committee set conditions for Switzerland's continued support of UNRWA. The aid organization had to be able to guarantee that Swiss money would only be used for emergency aid and humanitarian aid.
Those in favor of continued support for UNRWA argue in particular with the catastrophic situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
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