FDP Demands Conditions for German UNRWA Support
Berlin, February 17, 2025 – The Free Democratic Party (FDP) has called for conditions to be placed on German financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
In a statement released today, the FDP’s foreign policy spokesperson, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, said that Germany’s contributions to UNRWA should be made dependent on the agency implementing reforms that address concerns raised by the German government.
“UNRWA has been criticized for its inefficient and opaque management practices, its bias against Israel, and its perpetuation of the Palestinian refugee issue,” Lambsdorff said. “Germany cannot continue to support an organization that is not transparent and accountable, and that does not contribute to a just and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The FDP’s demands come after a report by the German Federal Audit Office (Bundesrechnungshof) in 2022 found that UNRWA’s financial management was “deficient” and that the agency had not met its own targets for reducing its budget deficit. The report also highlighted concerns about UNRWA’s neutrality and its alleged links to terrorist organizations.
Lambsdorff said that the FDP’s conditions for German support to UNRWA include:
- Transparency and accountability: UNRWA must implement comprehensive financial reforms and provide detailed reports on its budget and expenditure.
- Neutrality and impartiality: UNRWA must ensure that its staff and operations are independent of any political or military influence.
- Contribution to a just solution: UNRWA must actively support efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“These conditions are not unreasonable,” Lambsdorff said. “They are necessary to ensure that German taxpayers’ money is used effectively and responsibly, and that it contributes to a positive outcome for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
The FDP’s demands have been met with mixed reactions from other political parties in Germany. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which leads the governing coalition with the FDP, has expressed support for the FDP’s position, while the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has criticized the FDP for “attacking” UNRWA.
The German government has not yet officially responded to the FDP’s demands. However, sources close to the government have indicated that the government is considering the FDP’s proposals and is open to discussions on the issue.
The UNRWA is a United Nations agency that provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The agency’s budget is primarily funded by voluntary contributions from member states, including Germany.
FDP thematisiert Vorgaben für deutsche UNRWA-Unterstützung
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