“Is there an alternative to UNRWA?” This question, raised at the start of the debate by Hildegard Bentele (EPP, German) in the European Parliament, was the focus of discussions on Monday 17 March between the UN agency’s Commissioner-General , Philippe Lazzarini, and MEPs from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Committee on Development (DEVE).
With UNRWA facing increasing restrictions from Israel and accusations of links to Hamas, the question of its necessity has divided parliamentarians. While the European Commission has confirmed its financial support for the agency through a total payment of €92 million in 2024, several countries, including the United States, have suspended or are reassessing their contributions (see EUROPE 13550/30). Sweden has reduced the amount of its financial aid and others, such as the Netherlands, are maintaining their aid but reserve the right to review their position in the future.
Hildegard Bentele said that “the Knesset has taken a decision, we took note of it and many people are concerned about it” before asking the Commissioner-General about possible alternatives in the event of non-cooperation with Israel.
Lukas Mandl (EPP, Austrian) felt that “UNRWA has failed in its mission” and should be replaced.
Jordan Bardella (PfE, French) relayed Israel’s accusations: “If transparency measures are not taken, they could call into question support from public funds”.
In the face of these attacks, Philippe Lazzarini defended the uniqueness of the agency and its irreplaceable role. “What UNRWA is doing is replacing a State that does not exist. If we cease our activities, we will have to promote the return or resettlement of refugees. But today, nobody is proposing this solution”. He has called for a political response rather than a hasty dissolution of the agency.
The debates also reflect a real political division.
On the left, Villy Søvndal (Greens/EFA, Danish) denounced the accusations made against UNRWA and noted its importance: “There is no other organisation that can do what you do. It’s not ‘you or another agency’. It’s ‘you or no help for hundreds of thousands of refugees”.
Rima Hassan (The Left, French) strongly denounced “Israeli propaganda relayed by certain MEPs” and accused the EPP and far-right MEPs of defending Israel’s interests rather than those of Palestinian refugees. “By attacking UNRWA, we are attacking the right of return of Palestinian refugees”, she insisted.
Finally, Philippe Lazzarini warned of the consequences of a possible collapse of UNRWA: “The status quo is no longer an option. There is a choice to make. The Agency can be left to implode due to the Knesset legislation and financial uncertainties. UNRWA’s collapse would create a dangerous vacuum in the occupied Palestinian territory, in the absence of alternatives”.
While the European Commission has renewed its commitment to UNRWA, it has also indicated that it will closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel and the conditions agreed as part of the EU funding, including the recommendations of an EU audit. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)