Date: 23/12/2024
During his meeting with Swedish Consul General Julius Liljestrom
Dr. Abu Huli calls on Sweden to reconsider its decision to halt funding for UNRWA
Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, urged the Swedish government to reconsider its decision to stop funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). He called on Sweden to resume its leadership of European efforts to support UNRWA politically and financially, protecting its mandate under UN Resolution 302 until the rights of Palestinian refugees are realized, including a just solution based on international law and UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 194 and the right of return for refugees to their homes from which they were displaced in 1948.
During his meeting with Swedish Consul General Julius Liljestrom at the Department of Refugee Affairs in Ramallah on Tuesday, Dr. Abu Holi emphasized that since Sweden joined the Advisory Commission in 2005, it has been a strategic ally and advocate for UNRWA. Sweden has led European efforts to mobilize financial support for the agency and, alongside Jordan, has sponsored several international conferences and meetings since 2017 to garner political and financial backing for UNRWA. He described Sweden’s decision to halt funding as shocking.
Dr. Abu Holi discussed with the Swedish Consul the UNRWA financial crisis and the challenges facing its work, and the repercussions of his government’s decision to stop funding UNRWA on its mandate and services provided to refugees in its five areas of operation.
He warned that Sweden’s decision to suspend its funding—estimated at $41 million for 2025—will have severe and immediate repercussions on UNRWA’s programs and its ability to pay salaries for its 30,000 employees. This comes at a time when UNRWA is grappling with deep-rooted financial challenges that are expected to worsen in 2025, given the continued suspension of U.S. funding, amounting to $365 million, the increasing needs of refugees, and the carryover of debts from the 2024 budget into 2025.
Dr. Abu Holi explained that the justifications for Sweden’s decision, which involves redirecting funds to other international organizations, especially the World Food Programme, under the pretext of Israel’s restrictions on UNRWA’s activities, is unfounded. He stressed that these justifications contradict the reality on the ground in Gaza, where emergency humanitarian operations face challenges from Israeli restrictions. This is affirmed by a joint statement from 17 international humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme, which noted that the services provided by UNRWA cannot be replicated by all 17 organizations combined.
Dr. Abu Holi firmly rejected any undermining of UNRWA’s status and its mandate under Resolution 302 by transferring its responsibilities to alternative international organizations. He affirmed that UNRWA must continue its operations until a political solution to the refugee issue is achieved in accordance with Resolution 194.
He added that UNRWA’s presence and continued services in its areas of operation in Gaza, the West Bank (including Jerusalem), Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan represent a stabilizing factor in the region and a lifeline for Palestinian refugees, who rely heavily on its services and food and cash assistance.
For his part, Swedish Consul General Julius Liljestrom expressed his understanding of the Palestinian side’s concerns and affirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and working towards comprehensive and just solutions. He indicated that Sweden would consider the concerns raised and provide recommendations to its government in alignment with its international and humanitarian commitments.
The two sides agreed to continue dialogue and coordination on this matter to enhance cooperation and ensure the continuation of international support for UNRWA in fulfilling its vital role.
