Netherlands, Belgium pledge funds to UNRWA following US cutbacks

AMSTERDAM (JTA) – The Netherlands and Belgium pledged a total of $38 million for the UN agency that provides aid to Palestinians following US funding cuts of $110m.

Belgium’s government pledged $23.3m. in extra money for UNRWA and the Dutch government said it would fast-track another $15m. in funding.

The United States announced its cuts on Thursday. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters that a $45m. payment pledged for the UNRWA food aid program would not go through for the time being. Earlier last week, the US said it would freeze $65m. pledged to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, transferring only $60m.

According to UNRWA, the United States provided more than $350m. in aid to the organization in 2017.

In the Netherlands, International Aid Minister Sigrid Kaag, who used to work for UNRWA and is married to a Palestinian former cabinet minister, said she would make available immediately her country’s annual budget of $15m. for UNRWA, which was planned to be dispensed in several payments.

Three lawmakers, including one from the ruling People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, submitted questions to Kaag in parliament last week about the decision.

“Why are you fast-tracking funding for UNRWA when there are so many potential groups with urgent needs?” they asked.

Israel has accused UNRWA institutions of harboring terrorist activities. In October, a Hamas tunnel was discovered under a UNRWA-run school in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also accused UNRWA teachers of using antisemitic and anti-Israel textbooks. And Israel has charged that UNRWA’s definition of refugee perpetuates Palestinian intransigence and suffering.

UNRWA says it has taken various steps to address anti-Israel and antisemitic content in its schools. It also maintains that it opposes any terrorist activity at its institutions or by its staff.

“The agency that perpetuates the Palestinian refugee problem and narrative of erasing Zionism – and this is the first time this thing is challenged,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last year. “It’s a good thing that they’re moving forward and challenging this body.”

UNRWA’s definition of a refugee extends to descendants of the people who fled. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is responsible for aiding all other refugees in the world, only recognizes as refugees those who themselves fled persecution, conflict or disaster zones.