On July 1, Ambassador Jeff Bartos addressed the United Nations, urging donors to reconsider financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The ambassador suggested that the aid might be better directed towards efforts promising peace and stability in Gaza. According to him, these efforts could lead to lasting changes for the region.
Recently, Finland has announced its decision to stop funding UNRWA, following similar actions by the U.S. and Sweden. Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs relayed to Fox News Digital that their working relationship with UNRWA would end by 2026. However, it has not yet been decided which international partners will receive Finland’s support next year for addressing regional needs. Despite inquiries, Finnish officials did not elaborate on why they decided to change their approach to UNRWA funding.
In February 2025, the Trump administration completely cut off funds to UNRWA. This move was joined by Sweden, which redirected its financial aid to other U.N. bodies for support in Gaza. An official associated with the Board of Peace revealed concerns about UNRWA’s presence in Gaza, citing evidence of undesirable affiliations. The Board of Peace aims to work with reliable partners to achieve a goal of building a demilitarized and deradicalized region.
The USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) is investigating claims of connections between UNRWA staff and terror groups. A senior U.S. official suggested that these investigations encourage other countries to rethink their belief in UNRWA as the sole provider of aid in Gaza. Findings are expected to mitigate the recurrence of past issues in future aid ventures.
Further details from UN Watch’s report indicate that a portion of UNRWA employees in Gaza may be linked to terror organizations. Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, stated that Finland’s decision would not harm Palestinians, as aid would be redirected to agencies like the World Food Programme, which are free from such accusations. He encouraged other nations to consider similar actions for peace and better aid delivery.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed gratitude to Finland for its past contributions and hoped for continued dialogue. Finland had committed around $23.23 million to UNRWA over four years, but this support will end after 2026.
Neuer emphasized that ceasing funding to UNRWA is vital for the peace plan in Gaza. He argued that the agency has perpetuated conflict by promoting the notion of a ‘right of return’ for Palestinians, challenging the existence of Israel. He claimed that UNRWA’s structure prevents reform, and instead, efforts should focus on humanitarian relief and promoting Palestinian self-reliance.
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