Sweden has officially stopped its financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). This decision was announced by Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa during an interview. Sweden plans to redirect its humanitarian aid to Gaza through other channels.
The decision comes after increased scrutiny of UNRWA's operations, especially following the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli praised Sweden's decision, citing UNRWA's alleged involvement in the attacks and its facilities being used as terror hubs.
Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky, who sponsored a bill to cut Israel's ties with UNRWA, believes Sweden's decision was influenced by Israeli legislative actions. She stated that once Israel took decisive action, other countries followed suit.
Israel's concerns about UNRWA have grown, especially after discovering a Hamas complex under UNRWA's Gaza City headquarters. Israel's largest bank also froze UNRWA's accounts due to suspicious activities. An internal UN investigation led to the termination of nine staff members, but Israeli officials criticized it as inadequate.
Sweden's move is part of a broader international trend questioning UNRWA's legitimacy. Earlier, Israel officially cut ties with the agency, and lawsuits have been filed against UNRWA for allegedly aiding Hamas.
On October 7, Hamas attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza border, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 252 hostages. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also held two Israeli civilians captive since 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
Sweden is a country in Northern Europe known for its beautiful landscapes and high quality of life. It is part of the European Union and often participates in international aid and peacekeeping efforts.
UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees. It was created to support Palestinian refugees with education, health care, and other services.
Hamas is a Palestinian political and militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organization by some countries, including Israel and the United States.
Gaza, or the Gaza Strip, is a small region on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to many Palestinians and is often in the news due to conflicts between Israel and Palestinian groups.
The October 7 attacks refer to a specific event when Hamas launched attacks on Israel. This led to increased tensions and scrutiny of organizations like UNRWA.
Israeli officials are people who work for the government of Israel. They make decisions and policies for the country, including how to handle international relations and security.
The Diaspora Minister is a member of the Israeli government responsible for relations with Jewish communities outside of Israel. Amichai Chikli is the current Diaspora Minister.
The Knesset is the parliament of Israel, where laws are made and government decisions are discussed. Members of the Knesset are elected by the people of Israel.
Yulia Malinovsky is a member of the Israeli Knesset. She is involved in making decisions and policies for the country.
Hamas complexes refer to buildings or areas used by Hamas for their operations. These can include places for planning, training, or storing weapons.
Suspicious financial activities are actions involving money that seem unusual or illegal. In this context, it means there are concerns about how money is being used or moved, possibly to support groups like Hamas.
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