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Holland to Reconsider UNRWA Funding

(European Jewish Press) Cnaan Liphshiz - Holland will "thoroughly review" its policy on the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal told the parliament in The Hague. The Dutch ruling party called UNRWA's definitions "worrisome." Holland is UNRWA's 6th largest donor, with an annual contribution of $30 million. "UNRWA uses its own unique definition of refugees, different from the UN's. The refugee issue is a big obstacle to peace. We therefore ask that the government acknowledge this discrepancy, which leads to third-generation Palestinian refugees," VVD party speaker Hans Ten Broeke said. Last year Canada stopped its core funding of $10 million annually for UNRWA. In 2011 UNRWA enjoyed a budget of $1.23 billion, half provided by the U.S. and the European Commission - its two largest donors, followed by Sweden, Britain and Norway.
2011-12-13 00:00:00
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