Belgium has pledged an extra four million euros to support Palestinians, announced Development Minister for Cooperation, Caroline Gennez (Vooruit), during a visit to Palestine.
Three of the four million will be directed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees, with the remainder allocated to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN's specialised work agency.
Belgium recently reaffirmed its multi-year commitment to UNRWA, offering 27.5 million euros between 2024 and 2026. The additional three million euros, announced on Friday, will bolster this sum, clarified Gennez.
“We have continued to support UNRWA, even during difficult times,” said Ms Gennez, emphasising the significance of their contribution to stability in the area, focusing on hospitals, schools and social protection.
The one million euros granted to the ILO will be used for a programme centred on the reconstruction of Gaza and employment in the region.
Minister for Development Cooperation and Metropolitan Policy Caroline Gennez pictured during a visit to the Jabal El Hussein UNRWA refugee camp in Amman, Jordan. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
"Belgium is the first country to participate in this programme," the minister stated. "Since 7 October, the Palestinian economy has fallen by 50% and more than 500,000 people have lost their jobs in Palestinian territories. With this investment, we want to signal to Palestinians that we are not abandoning them and aim to boost the Palestinian economy."
Gennez also discussed the hopes for a viable Palestinian state with members of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah on Thursday.
Her conversations centred on the need for deep-rooted reform within the Palestinian Authority, positioned as a vital partner for regional stability.
Gennez, from the Vooruit party, underscored the required democratic nature of the Palestinian executive. An 11-point plan on democracy was reportedly in the works, while action was being taken on human rights and freedom of expression.
"We need to demand these conditions for a viable Palestinian state. With this commitment, we should recognise this state," said Gennez. She emphasised the urgency due to the current Israeli government's actions.
The minister also highlighted financial issues. Israel collects taxes as per provisional peace agreements, then transfers these funds to the Palestinian Authority each month. However, the amount has been dropping for some time and, since last month, no transfers had occurred.
"This is their greatest hurdle: They're supposed to provide security and education, but they can't deliver this to their own people because Israel isn't transferring the funds," she stated.
Gennez had rescheduled her diplomatic mission last month due to escalating Iran-Israel tensions.
