The United Kingdom, Finland and Italy have decided to follow the United States and Canada in opting for a “temporary freeze” on future funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The decision was prompted by the need to review “complicated allegations” that UNRWA personnel were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.
According to The Times of IsraelThe UK Foreign Office expressed dismay at the allegations and said: “The UK is appalled by the allegations that UNRWA officials were involved in the 7 October attack on Israel, a heinous act of terrorism which the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.”
UNRWA announced on Friday that it had fired “several” staff accused by Israel of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack. These attacks resulted in thousands of terrorists crossing the Gaza border, causing deaths and taking hostages.
The Italian government, represented by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, suspended funding to UNRWA in response to the attack, which it described as “brutal”. Finland's Foreign Minister Wille Tavio announced a temporary suspension of funding to UNRWA, highlighting Finland's continued lack of aid to Hamas.
