Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson dismisses Left-Green Movement resolution over UNRWA funding freeze

Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson has dismissed a resolution from the Left-Green Movement (VG) as unfounded. The resolution claims that by freezing payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), he has supported Israel’s actions against humanitarian aid in Gaza.

During the VG party council meeting over the weekend, Benediktsson’s statement as Foreign Minister about freezing contributions to UNRWA was condemned. This decision was made in January when allegations arose that a small group of agency staff had assisted Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7. Payments were postponed initially, but in March and later in the summer, additional funding was announced for the agency.

Benediktsson expressed confusion regarding the resolution, stating, “I must admit that I don’t fully understand this resolution.” He noted that during his tenure as Foreign Minister, contributions to the agency had increased, and Iceland had sought clarifications just like other nations when allegations surfaced. “Ultimately, we made the payments that had been agreed upon. So, I find this all without grounds,” he added.

He further emphasized that he would not accept VG’s criticism, asserting that “the facts speak for themselves” and stating he has more important matters to attend to than engaging with such contentions.