Finland to end funding for UNRWA after current agreement expires

"Finland will stop financing UNRWA when its current agreement expires at the end of 2026, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio announced Thursday.

Tavio, a member of the Finns Party, said he had not approved additional funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees beyond Finland’s existing four-year agreement.

Finland has provided UNRWA with €5 million annually under the 2023-2026 agreement...

Israel’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Finland’s decision Friday, citing allegations concerning UNRWA personnel and Hamas.

‘It is good to see more countries recognizing the undeniable truth in light of the conclusive evidence of UNRWA employees’ involvement in the October 7 massacre and UNRWA’s inseparable links to Hamas,’ the ministry said on X.

Finland’s decision ends direct support for UNRWA after the existing agreement concludes but does not reduce its overall funding for the Palestinian territories, with Tavio saying the money will instead be distributed through other aid organizations."