In a heated debate, S-leader Magdalena Andersson urges the Swedish government to reinstate support for UNRWA, the UN agency aiding Palestinians in Gaza. She argues that UNRWA is uniquely equipped to provide essential services, while the government currently supports other organizations like WFP and UNICEF. The debate highlights differing views on how best to assist Gaza, with Andersson calling the situation a 'shameful stain on humanity.'
Andersson Demands Government to Resume Support for UNRWA
Andersson Demands Government to Resume Support for UNRWA
Magdalena Andersson and Ulf Kristersson face off in a debate. The S-leader once again demands that the government resume its support for UNRWA.
- It's just a pen stroke away, she says.
On Tuesday evening, S-leader Magdalena Andersson and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) clash in a debate on SVT's 'Aktuellt'.
Ahead of this, Magdalena Andersson renews her call for Sweden to resume support for UNRWA, the UN agency that has assisted Palestinians in Gaza.
On Wednesday, UNRWA's Gaza chief Sam Rose and two other UNRWA leaders will visit the Swedish parliament to attend a meeting with the foreign affairs committee.
- Now is the time for the Swedish government to change its stance on Swedish support. Sweden is the only country besides Donald Trump's USA that has not resumed support.
Support for UNRWA ended last December, following Israel's decision to ban the organization. The government supports other actors like the World Food Program and UNICEF, which they believe have a better chance of delivering aid in Gaza.
- We support organizations that can deliver aid, Ulf Kristersson has previously stated.
Andersson: Simple for the Government
But Andersson argues, citing doctors and experts, that UNRWA is the only organization with the logistics needed to support Gaza's population with food, medicine, and other necessities.
- They also run extensive healthcare operations in Gaza. Additionally, we have schools and healthcare on the West Bank that also need to continue operating.
There are other things that are more difficult for a Swedish government to implement, Andersson believes.
- If you want to pause EU trade or the association agreement with Israel, it requires unanimity in the EU Parliament, for example. But resuming Swedish support is simple for the government. It's just a pen stroke away, she says.
'A Shameful Stain on the World'
Magdalena Andersson calls the situation in Gaza 'appalling.'
- That this suffering could even arise is a shameful stain on the world and humanity's history. More and more experts, including UN agencies, now argue that genocide is occurring in Gaza. The least we can demand of Sweden's government is to resume support to aid those in need.
In a written comment to Expressen, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) responds to Magdalena Andersson's demands.
- The UN organization UNRWA currently cannot get any trucks into Gaza. Taking money that could go to other UN organizations, like WFP and UNICEF, which actually get food, water, medicine, and tents in, would mean fewer trucks. Why does Magdalena Andersson want that?
He argues that it is wrong to say Sweden is doing nothing for those suffering in Gaza.
- We have doubled support to Gaza and are thus one of the countries in the world doing the most, says Benjamin Dousa.