Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has confirmed Belgium’s continued financial support for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA.
De Croo assured Sigrid Kaag, the UN's Humanitarian Response and Reconstruction Coordinator in Gaza, during a phone call that Belgium will not cease its support to the programme dedicated to supporting Palestinians. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office highlighted Belgium’s resolve to sustain aid to support those made homeless and who are suffering from starvation.
Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Japan, have recently announced the suspension of their payments to the UNRWA. Allegations were made by Israel that some staff members had been involved in the 7 October attack by Hamas.
Last week, the Belgian Government resolved not to suspend its funding to the UN organisation, opting instead to await the results of an inquiry into these allegations.
During the phone conversation, De Croo urged Kaag to conduct a "thorough, swift, and independent" investigation into the allegations involving UNRWA employees.
The Prime Minister added: "If it’s proven that reprehensible actions have been committed, the people involved must face legal consequences."
Belgium has not planned any payments to the UNRWA in the coming weeks. On this topic, De Croo stated, "We are waiting for the results of the investigation. Depending on the findings, the government will evaluate its position."
Besides the investigations conducted by the United Nations, the EU announced last week that it also expects UNRWA to agree to carrying out an audit of the agency to be conducted by “EU appointed independent external experts”, focusing specifically on the control systems needed to prevent the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities.
Currently, no additional EU funding to UNRWA is foreseen until the end of February. Asked about the EU appointed audit at the Commission’s press conference today, the spokesperson could not provide any information about the arrangements for the audit or indicate when it will be carried out.
EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said after the informal foreign affairs council on Saturday that UNRWA is playing a critical role and cannot be replaced overnight. According to Borrell, the general feeling among the majority of EU member states is that there is no substitute for UNRWA. Its Commissioner-General will be invited to next council meeting on 12 February to discuss the situation.
