Key countries freeze UN funding for Palestinian refugees

Several key donor countries to the UN Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) have announced they will freeze their funding following Israeli accusations that several agency staff were involved in the brutal Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October.
UNRWA fired several staff following Israel's accusations, promising a thorough investigation into the case.
Israel has vowed to end the agency's work in Gaza after the war.
Here's what the countries that stopped the funding say about the allegations:
Australia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said despite the "vital, life-saving work" UNRWA provides, Brisbane would "temporarily suspend funding".
"We welcome UNRWA's immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation," she said on the X social network.
Canada
Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced that Ottawa had "temporarily suspended any additional funding to UNRWA while the agency undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations."
Finland
Helsinki had a four-year agreement to provide €5 million a year to UNRWA.
The Foreign Office announced the suspension of the payments and called for an "independent and thorough investigation".
"We must make sure that not one euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists," the statement said.
Germany
Berlin also announced it was suspending funding.
Until the allegation is clarified, "Germany, in agreement with other donor countries" will for the time being withhold approval for additional resources, the foreign ministry's position said.
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Ciani said he was joining countries in freezing money for the UN agency.
"We are committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population while protecting Israel's security," he stressed.
Switzerland
The country has made annual contributions of about 20 million Swiss francs ($23 million) to UNRWA.
Authorities noted that no decision will be made on the 2024 payment until the allegations are resolved.
"Switzerland has zero tolerance for all forms of support for terrorism and calls to hatred or incitement to violence," authorities said.
The Netherlands
Trade and Development Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen announced a funding freeze for UNRWA pending an investigation, saying the government was "extremely shocked".
"The accusation is that the attack was carried out on October 7 with UN money, with our money," he told public broadcaster NOS.
Great Britain
The British government said it was "appalled by Israel's allegations" and "temporarily suspended all future funding" while the Foreign Office investigated the allegations.
The United Nations
The head of UNRWA, Filipe Lazzarini, vowed to seek "accountability, including through criminal prosecution," of any agency staff found to have engaged in "acts of terrorism."
UN chief Antonio Guterres pledged to carry out an "urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
USA
The US State Department suspended the payments and welcomed the UN announcement to investigate the allegations.
Washington is calling for "full accountability for everyone involved in the heinous attacks."
The position also emphasized that "UNRWA plays a critical role in providing life-saving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter and other vital humanitarian support." /BGNES