UN Agency’s Terror Ties Force Another European Nation to Pull Plug on Funding

Liberty Check

• Finland becomes the latest nation to cut funding to UNRWA after mounting evidence of Hamas infiltration and terrorist ties
• USAID investigation uncovering 1,500 terror-linked UNRWA members vindicates Trump administration’s February 2025 ban on all funding
• Board of Peace official confirms only vetted partners will rebuild Gaza — terror-tainted UN agency being replaced with responsible alternatives

Another European nation has severed its financial lifeline to the United Nations agency accused of harboring terrorists. Finland announced it will halt all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at the end of 2026, joining the United States and Sweden in cutting ties with the scandal-plagued organization.

The decision comes as multiple investigations expose what critics say is systemic Hamas infiltration of the UN agency. The USAID Office of Inspector General and watchdog organization UN Watch have uncovered damning evidence alleging UNRWA members participated in the October 7, 2023 terror attacks in southern Israel.

Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed to Fox News Digital that its agreement with UNRWA would conclude at the end of 2026, though officials declined to explain what prompted the decision. The ministry stated no decision has been made yet on which international partners will receive redirected aid to meet humanitarian needs in the region.

President Donald Trump fully banned U.S. funding to UNRWA in February 2025, while Sweden ended its support in December 2024 and redirected aid to other UN bodies. The mounting pressure on UNRWA comes as the Trump administration-backed Board of Peace works to shape a conflict-free future for Gaza.

An official affiliated with the Board of Peace reconstruction effort told Fox News Digital:

“The international community’s concern about UNRWA in Gaza continues to rise and is supported by damning evidence. The Board of Peace has been clear: New Gaza will be both demilitarized and deradicalized, and we will only be working with trusted, credible delivery partners to achieve our goals. We anticipate responsibly replacing UNRWA with vetted partners who will deliver for the people of Gaza.”

The scale of the alleged terrorist infiltration is staggering. USAID OIG is investigating approximately 1,500 UNRWA members for terror participation and has referred 108 staff members to the State Department with recommendations for suspension or exclusion from any organization receiving U.S. funds.

A senior U.S. official briefed on the ongoing investigation told Fox News Digital that USAID OIG’s independent findings are prompting several countries to reassess conventional thinking that UNRWA is the best option to provide aid to civilians in Gaza. The official added that the findings will prevent Hamas and October 7-affiliated staff from circulating across future aid organizations operating in Gaza.

UN Watch’s Terror Network report claims approximately 12% of UNRWA staff in Gaza are members of terror organizations, based on cross-checking UNRWA employee rosters with Hamas records seized by the Israel Defense Forces.

Executive director of UN Watch Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital:

“Finland’s principled decision to defund terror-infested UNRWA will not deprive Palestinians of aid, as it will be redirected through genuine humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Programme that are not systemically infiltrated by Hamas.”

Neuer urged other democracies to follow the examples of Finland, Sweden, and the United States. He emphasized that contrary to what UNRWA supporters claim, the agency is not indispensable and assistance can be delivered through responsible alternatives.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, told Fox News Digital:

“UNRWA has taken note of the announcement, and they are grateful to Finland for the disbursement of the 2023–2026 funds under the multi-year agreement. UNRWA looks forward to continuing our discussions with the government.”

He added that the Secretary-General continues to encourage member states to support UNRWA’s work. Finland’s four-year funding totaled approximately $23.23 million and will end after this year. UNRWA did not respond to questions about Finland’s decision.

Neuer argued that defunding UNRWA is essential for achieving peace in the region. He said the agency has perpetuated conflict for decades by teaching generations of Palestinians that their future lies not in building their own society, but in a so-called “right of return” that would eliminate Israel.

He concluded:

“The agency is unreformable. Nations that genuinely want peace should stop financing this machinery of hate, and invest instead in humanitarian relief, deradicalization and Palestinian self-reliance.”

The Constitution must be defended.