The Netherlands becomes first EU country to vote to phase out aid to UNRWA over terror links
While Norway announced last month that it intends to increase its financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, the Netherlands voted last week to phase out its financial support, for the organization, citing its links to terrorism.
The budget amendment will see the Dutch state cut aid to UNRWA progressively over the next four years.
The budget amendment, approved by an 88-49 vote in the Dutch parliament, will gradually reduce aid to UNRWA over the next four years. The decision now awaits approval from the Dutch Senate.
“UNRWA as an organization has been in disrepute for repeated violations of neutrality and for some of its employees who glorified violence in telegram groups,” the budget amendment stated. “In addition, there have been serious allegations against employees who participated in the October 7, [2023, massacre] or the terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah.”
The Netherlands is the first country in the European Union to begin phasing out its financial support of UNRWA. Following revelations that UNRWA employees were members of the Hamas terror group and participated in the Oct. 7 invasion and massacre last year, UNRWA’s major Western donors, led by the U.S. and Germany, initially suspended funding. However, all have resumed funding UNRWA, with the exception of the United States.
Dutch Member of Parliament Chris Stoffer, who co-sponsored the legislation, said the Netherlands would no longer play a part in fueling terrorism.
“Our aid has sometimes fueled terrorism instead of helping civilians,” Stoffer told the Jewish News Syndicate. “While we remain committed to delivering aid, UNRWA’s role in radicalizing future generations is horrific.”
In addition, he told the Jerusalem Post: “Together with Joost Eerdmans, I proposed an amendment to reduce UNRWA’s funding over the coming years. Dutch aid should go to individuals in need, but we cannot support organizations that have employees who have ties with terror organizations or even participated in the attacks on October 7, 2023.”
“We have also consistently spoken out against antisemitism in textbooks UNRWA uses. The proceeds of this amendment will be used to fund other organizations that provide humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians. I’m thankful that a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives supported our amendment in an 88-49 vote.”
Dutch Senator Annabel Nanninga in this sentiment shared this sentiment.
“Up until now the Dutch government has been hesitant to cut funding to UNRWA, but our amendment will rectify this,” she said. “The Netherlands cannot keep supporting an organization accused by our ally Israel of having links to Hamas, especially without clear evidence to dismiss these accusations. Our humanitarian aid must never end up fueling terrorism.”
Geert Wilders, chairman of the Party for Freedom (PVV), the largest party in the Dutch parliament and a long-standing and staunch supporter of Israel, greeted the news with enthusiasm.
“Fantastic news!” he tweeted. “The Netherlands are phasing out their contribution to UNRWA.”
The passed amendment was a watered-down version of prior proposals calling to cut the funding of UNRWA by half or more next year. In 2024, the Netherlands gave UNRWA €19 million (nearly $20 million), which will fall to €15 million ($15.7 million) in 2025, dropping to €1 million (over $1 million) by 2029.
Switzerland – a non-EU country – was the only European nation to vote in favor of immediately halting aid to UNRWA. The decision by the Swiss House of Representatives still requires approval from the Swiss Senate.
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The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
