In a recent revelation, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares admitted not knowing the exact amount the Sánchez government has allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), an organization accused of having ties with Hamas. Despite recognizing the connection between UNRWA and the October 7th massacre, Albares declined to reveal the specific figures of payments made by Spain since 2019.
Documents obtained by El Debate demonstrate a close relationship between the Spanish government and UNRWA, despite its controversial ties to the terrorist organization Hamas. Israeli authorities have deemed UNRWA a terrorist entity, banning its activities and citing its employees’ involvement in violent acts, including the October 2023 massacre that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 kidnappings.
While countries such as the U.S. and U.K. have frozen their support to UNRWA pending investigations, Spain remains one of the few Western nations continuing to fund the organization. Despite repeated inquiries, Spain’s Foreign Ministry has refrained from disclosing how much financial aid has been given, only referencing that over €190 million has been contributed since 2001.
UNRWA’s Involvement with Hamas:
Israel has identified 108 UNRWA employees linked to Hamas, citing instances of the agency’s facilities being used to coordinate terrorist activities. Furthermore, Fatah Sharif, a high-ranking Hamas commander killed in Lebanon, was found to have worked for UNRWA.
Despite these revelations, Spain increased its financial support by 332% in recent years. In June, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez announced an additional €16 million package for UNRWA, justifying it by stressing the agency’s humanitarian work, especially in Gaza, where 2.2 million people rely on its assistance.
International Isolation:
Spain’s unwavering support for UNRWA has isolated the country from its Western allies, who suspended their financial backing until UNRWA’s ties with Hamas could be thoroughly investigated. Albares defended Spain’s position as part of a “two-state solution” approach, calling for a viable Palestinian state while advocating for continued support to UNRWA.
The Spanish government’s stance on UNRWA remains controversial, as other nations wait for further investigations into the organization’s alleged involvement in terrorism. Spain, however, continues to champion the agency’s role despite the growing concerns regarding its neutrality and links to Hamas.
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada respetada, licenciada en EE.UU. y España, con un doctorado en Ciencias Jurídicas y títulos de la Universidad de Granada, la Universidad de Arizona y la Florida International University. Con amplia experiencia en derecho internacional, inversiones, inmigración, derechos humanos, protección de la privacidad y lucha anticorrupción, ha asesorado a organizaciones y políticos hispanoamericanos. Ha escrito sobre seguridad nacional e inmigración, protección de datos, derecho constitucional, consumo financiero y derecho bancario en revistas internacionales y coescribió libros publicados en Perú y Colombia. Reconocida por su servicio comunitario, es considerada una de las mujeres más influyentes de Florida. Es experta en varios idiomas y participa frecuentemente en debates en canales como Univisión y Telemundo
María Herrera Mellado is a highly respected attorney, licensed to practice in both the U.S. and Spain. She holds a PhD in Legal Sciences and has earned degrees from prestigious institutions, including the University of Granada, the University of Arizona, and Florida International University.With extensive expertise in business law, immigration, human rights, consumer protection, privacy protection, and anti-corruption, María has advised a wide range of organizations and Hispanic American politicians. She has published numerous articles on data protection and banking law in international legal journals and co-authored books on these topics, which have been published in Peru and Colombia. Known for her strong commitment to community service, María is recognized as one of the most influential women in Florida. Fluent in multiple languages, she frequently participates in high-profile debates on networks such as Univisión and Telemundo, where she shares her insights on key legal and social issues.