Switzerland has decided to immediately stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following a narrow vote by the Senate’s Foreign Policy Committee on Tuesday, November 18. The decision aligns with a proposal backed by the House of Representatives, which had previously approved the suspension of funding in September 2024.  

The proposal, introduced by Swiss People’s Party member David Zuberbühler, calls for an immediate halt to Switzerland’s current and future financial support for UNRWA. The committee approved the measure with a 6-6 vote, with Marco Chiesa from the Swiss People’s Party casting the decisive vote. The Senate is expected to finalize the decision during its spring parliamentary session, running from February 26 to March 15.  

The Senate committee argued that Switzerland should not fund an organization with potential links to terrorism and suggested that other organizations could take over UNRWA’s activities. Opponents of the decision warned that cutting funding would have disastrous consequences for Palestinian civilians, emphasizing UNRWA’s critical role in providing essential services in the region.  

The committee also approved a second proposal, amended to require consultation with foreign policy committees before any future contributions to UNRWA. The amendment stipulates that such funds must be used exclusively to benefit civilians in need in the Middle East. The original proposal urged the Swiss Federal Council to work with the international community to establish an alternative body to replace UNRWA, potentially integrating Palestinian aid into the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  

UNRWA, established in 1949 by a UN General Assembly resolution, provides humanitarian aid, protection, and advocacy for approximately 5.6 million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. The agency relies on voluntary contributions from UN member states, making Switzerland’s decision a significant blow to its operations.  

The move has sparked debate, with critics warning of the humanitarian fallout and supporters advocating for alternative solutions to address Palestinian refugee needs. As the Senate prepares to finalize its decision, the future of Swiss support for UNRWA remains uncertain.