The Swiss National Council wants to immediately suspend Switzerland's contributions to UNRWA, the controversial UN agency for Palestinian refugees. It accepted a motion to this effect by David Zuberbühler (SVP/SH) by 99 to 88.
"UNRWA claims to contribute to peace and the fight against radicalisation. Reports show the opposite," said the elected official. "The organization employs teachers and textbooks that glorify Hamas and terrorism. And some members, active in schools, welcomed the attacks on Israel on October 7," he continued.
The majority of the Foreign Affairs Committee was opposed to the motion, believing that UNRWA is essential to provide urgent aid to civilians on the ground. "In view of the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the lack of a credible alternative to UNRWA, the immediate cessation of its funding would entail a totally disproportionate human cost, especially since no accusation of links with a terrorist organisation has so far been substantiated against UNRWA," explained Nicolas Walder (Greens/GE).
* 20 Minutes contributed to this article.