Sweden Halts Support for UNRWA Amid Ongoing Crisis in Gaza: Calls for Transparency

By Mats Svensson

June 18, 2025

In a controversial move, the Swedish government has suspended its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), prompting calls for clarity from the nation's leadership. This decision contradicts the recommendations of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and several major international humanitarian organizations.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, International Development Cooperation Minister Benjamin Dousa, and State Secretary Diana Janse are labeled the "three wise ones," as their political decisions may stem from undisclosed sources of information. There is growing concern within Sweden and among international observers about what specific intelligence influenced their drastic policy change.

UNRWA has been a critical lifeline for millions of Palestinians since its inception in 1949, providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and food assistance. It has played a particularly vital role in Gaza, which is currently facing devastation. Since the escalation of conflict in October 2023, over 60,000 individuals have reportedly lost their lives, with significant numbers of children suffering from loss and trauma.

Mats Svensson, a former Swedish diplomat and a long-time advocate for Palestine, has worked extensively in Gaza and asserts that UNRWA is irreplaceable in the ongoing humanitarian efforts. He argues that while Sweden halts its contributions, the UN organization remains the only entity capable of conducting large-scale relief operations in the region. Other organizations, including Save the Children, the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and the World Food Programme, echo this sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need for continued UNRWA support.

Svensson's concerns are compounded by the fact that Sweden's cessation of funding is based on accusations from the Israeli government, amidst an ongoing internal UN investigation that has yet to yield conclusive evidence against UNRWA. He questions what unique knowledge the Swedish officials possess that leads them to disregard the warnings from the broader humanitarian community and even the UN Secretary-General.

As humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorate, many in Sweden and beyond are demanding transparency. They want to know the sources of information that propelled the government to take this significant step away from supporting humanitarian assistance to one of the most vulnerable populations. Svensson stresses that this matter is crucial not only for those directly impacted in Gaza but also for Swedish taxpayers, who fund international aid efforts.

Svensson concludes by asserting that Sweden holds a responsibility as a donor nation and UN member. As the situation in Gaza intensifies, he urges Sweden's leaders to evaluate their stance in light of the humanitarian needs and the ethical implications of their decisions.

The discourse surrounding Stockholm's approach to UNRWA and its implications for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza illustrates a complex intersection of politics, ethics, and international humanitarian obligations.

Note: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the position of The Palestine Chronicle.