Germany's CDU votes to cut all UNRWA funding over terror links
Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has voted to halt all German and EU funding for UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees. The decision was made at the party's federal congress, signalling a major shift in policy for a country long known as one of UNRWA's biggest financial backers.
The move follows concerns over the agency's alleged links to terrorist groups and its operations in Gaza.
The CDU's resolution demands an immediate freeze on payments to UNRWA, citing evidence of ties between the agency and militant organisations. It also calls for stricter conditions on funding to the Palestinian Authority, with payments suspended until specific reforms are implemented.
In place of UNRWA, the party proposes channelling humanitarian aid through other UN programmes. The resolution further urges the German government and the European Commission to ensure future assistance supports democratic and non-violent structures in the Palestinian territories, fostering peaceful coexistence with Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar praised the decision as a step towards moral clarity. Meanwhile, critics have warned that cutting UNRWA funding could worsen the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Olga Deutsch, Vice President of NGO Monitor, welcomed the resolution, calling it a necessary stand against UNRWA's alleged involvement in terror and incitement.
The CDU's policy shift marks a break from Germany's traditional role as a leading donor to UNRWA. If adopted by the government, the freeze on funding would redirect aid through alternative UN bodies. The decision's impact on Gaza's humanitarian conditions and regional stability remains to be seen.
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