Finland joins Sweden and US in terminating support to UNRWA

News September 01, 2026 / By: Ann Danaiya Usher

Development Minister Ville Tavio of the populist right-wing Finns Party will terminate funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA from next year, breaking with a decades-old Finnish policy. He cites as his reason that Finland is following “its closest peer country, Sweden.” Meanwhile in Sweden, with an election two weeks away, the Social Democrats say that if they win, they will reinstate support to the agency.

Children access learning and recreational activities in UNRWA temporary learning spaces, March 2025 - UNRWA photo.jpg — UNRWA temporary learning spaces, March 2025 (Photo by UNRWA)

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