The decision is not only a blow to the humanitarian response in Gaza but will also have severe negative consequences for Palestinian refugees in the region. The reason for stopping Swedish core support is linked to the Israeli decision to ban UNRWA - a decision previously criticized by the Swedish government. In a response to Act Church of Sweden in early December on Israel's ban on UNRWA, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said: “If implemented, the laws risk having major consequences for the ability to meet the humanitarian and basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The laws may also conflict with Israel's obligations under international law.”
Following a visit to Israel and Palestine earlier this week by the Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, the Swedish government has now decided to stop its core funding to UNRWA. In an interview, Dousa states that “...there are political reasons for Sweden to end its cooperation with UNRWA”. We interpret this to mean that support for the Netanyahu government's policies outweighs standing up for the right of a UN agency to operate.
Humanitarian needs in Gaza are enormous, with continuous reports of devastation and acute hunger. 45,000 people have been killed and more than 100,000 have been injured. UNWRA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza. Increased support to other UN and humanitarian organisations, that the Swedish government has now announced, does not compensate for UNWRA's unique operational capacity. It is evident that a political solution to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is urgently needed. The fact that the war has been allowed to continue for 14 months, with obvious and very serious violations of international law, is a historic betrayal by the international community. Sweden cannot avoid its responsibility under international law by increasing humanitarian aid.
Yesterday, Sweden voted in favour of a new UN resolution mandating the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to give its opinion on Israel's responsibility to facilitate states and international organizations to provide aid to the Palestinians.
“Stopping core funding to UNRWA at this time is not only inconsistent with Sweden’s support to this resolution, but also a huge betrayal of people in need and of international law,” says Erik Lysén, Director of Act Church of Sweden
Act Church of Sweden calls on the Swedish government to:
- Resume core funding to UNRWA
- Make it clear that Sweden stands up for international law and acts to strengthen accountability for violations of international law. Respect the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and demand that all parties do the same
- Suspend the EU trade agreement (association agreement) with Israel due to the apparent violations of Article 2 of the agreement on respect for human rights and democratic principles
- Step up efforts for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, allowing humanitarian access and the release of hostages
- Engage seriously in addressing the root causes of the conflict, including an end to the occupation and cessation of violence