Nine employees from the UN agency UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) have reportedly participated in a terrorist attack against Israel last year, according to a recent investigation by the United Nations. This discovery has sparked significant political debate in Denmark regarding whether Danish support for the organization should continue. Various Danish political parties hold sharply contrasting views on the matter.
The left-wing parties Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) and Alternativet (The Alternative) firmly believe that Denmark should maintain its support for UNRWA. Trine Pertou Mach, the foreign affairs spokesperson for Enhedslisten, emphasizes the importance of supporting the organization’s work for Palestinians, asserting that it is crucial for UNRWA to take action in relation to the implicated employees. “The organization is absolutely vital for aiding Palestinians, and the propagandistic attacks against UN organizations must cease,” she stated in a text message.
Sascha Faxe, the foreign affairs spokesperson for Alternativet, points out that the UN’s investigation indicates that the system takes these allegations seriously and acts accordingly. He argues that the support work for those in need in Gaza is so critical that support should continue unabated.
Conversely, the Danmarksdemokraterne (Danish Democrats) and Dansk Folkeparti (Danish People’s Party) advocate for an immediate halt to Danish support for UNRWA. Anders Vistisen, the foreign affairs spokesperson for Dansk Folkeparti, calls for the organization to be shut down and rebuilt from the ground up. He highlights that local employees at UNRWA often face issues related to the glorification of terrorism and propaganda.
Charlotte Munch, the foreign affairs spokesperson for Danmarksdemokraterne, shares this viewpoint and goes so far as to claim that continuing support for UNRWA would amount to sponsoring terrorism. However, both politicians acknowledge that UNRWA has done considerable good for Palestinians, but they believe the organization’s ties to terrorism are unacceptable.
Danish support for UNRWA was disbursed earlier this year, before the UN’s investigation into the nine employees was made public. Many are now eagerly awaiting a statement from Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen regarding the government’s future support for the organization. However, the government has yet to comment on the matter.