The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) is staunchly defending its continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), dismissing calls for its dissolution as shortsighted and impractical. The defense comes amidst growing pressure, particularly from within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), advocating for a radical shift in approach to Palestinian refugee aid.
SPD parliamentary spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic, in remarks published by “Der Spiegel”, sharply criticized CDU leader Armin Laschet’s recent calls for Germany to sever ties with UNRWA and to establish a new refugee assistance program following the Gaza agreement. Laschet alleges that UNRWA staff were implicated in the October 7th attacks on Israel, a claim that has fueled calls for the agency’s dismantling.
Ahmetovic countered that UNRWA’s vital work extends far beyond Gaza, providing essential services in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the West Bank. He argued that calls for its replacement are performative gestures lacking concrete alternatives, questioning who would assume responsibility for the wellbeing of approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees should the agency cease to exist. “Demanding a solution without outlining a viable successor is simply not a serious proposal” he stated.
The current German government previously suspended payments to UNRWA, but resumed them in 2024 and indications suggest the incoming coalition intends to maintain the same course of action. However, the CDU’s insistence on reassessing the agency’s role highlights a deepening political rift regarding humanitarian aid policy in the region.
Critics argue that the accusations against UNRWA staff, even if unproven, present a significant challenge to the agency’s legitimacy and raise fundamental questions about accountability within international organizations operating in conflict zones. At the same time, advocates emphasize the crucial role UNRWA plays in preventing humanitarian crises and maintaining regional stability, warning that a sudden departure would have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations. The debate underscores the complex and politically charged nature of humanitarian aid in the Middle East and the fragility of international efforts to address the ongoing Palestinian refugee crisis.