Spanish Government ‘Doesn’t Know’ How Much Money It Gives to Hamas-Tied UNRWA

Spain’s foreign minister has refused to say how much money the country has given the controversial UNRWA agency, despite widespread reports of the group’s links to Hamas.

According to documents obtained by Spanish media outlet El Debate, Spain has failed to record the specific amounts paid to the group in recent years, despite concerns that workers for the UN agency took part in the worst anti-Jewish massacre since the Holocaust.

Following the October 7th, 2023 attack by Hamas—which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 250 being taken hostage—most Western countries suspended funding to UNRWA. Israel has classified the group as a terrorist organisation. However, Spain remains the only major Western country to maintain its financial relationship with the organisation.

While Spain’s Foreign Ministry states it does not know the exact amount donated since 2019, it estimates that Spain has given over €190 million to the organisation since 2001. The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended these contributions, claiming UNRWA plays an important role in helping displaced Palestinians.