Spain will continue its funding to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), underscoring a policy that supports humanitarian work even as international scrutiny intensifies. The decision comes at a moment when the United States and several other countries have temporarily limited their involvement as Israel and UNRWA review allegations that a small subset of staff may have been connected to violent acts. The scale of the Hamas attacks on October 7 in Israel was devastating, with approximately 1,140 lives lost and many more families affected. Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, stressed that investigations must proceed with rigor, while noting that the agency employs about 30,000 people and that ten workers should not be viewed as representative of the whole organization.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the importance of continuing UNRWA’s mission to protect and assist Palestinian refugees as the investigations unfold. In a message marked by diplomatic balance, Guterres pointed to accountability for any employee implicated in wrongdoing, but reminded the international community that tens of thousands of UNRWA staff and beneficiaries rely on its services for education, healthcare, and basic protection. He emphasized that punitive actions should be proportional and targeted, ensuring that the vast majority who adhere to the agency’s mandate are not punished for the actions of a few. Attribution: United Nations leadership statements
Albares, appearing before the Legislative Assembly to outline priority foreign policy actions, articulated the government’s stance and ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Israel, Gaza, and the broader regional context. He highlighted Spain’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs of Palestinians and to supporting the sustainable pursuit of self-determination for peoples in areas such as Western Sahara, where the Sahrawi people continue to seek recognition of their rights. The presentation also touched on how Spain plans to support international mechanisms that monitor and respond to crisis situations, while safeguarding dialogue and regional stability. Attribution: Spanish government briefing
Elaborating on legal and humanitarian processes, Albares noted that Spain had been informed of recent measures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He confirmed that Spain fully backs the Court’s work and urged all parties to comply with the ICJ’s decisions. He also called for the decisions to be implemented in a manner that minimizes harm to civilians and preserves access to humanitarian aid, stressing that the Court’s guidance should be followed to prevent further escalation and to protect vulnerable populations. He added that the measures must be applied with transparent oversight and continuous accountability to the international community. Attribution: ICJ-related remarks