Swiss parliament rejects move to cut funding for UN agency for Palestinian refugees

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The upper house of the bicameral Swiss parliament on Thursday rejected the decision of the lower house to cut Switzerland's contribution to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), public broadcaster RTS reported.

The Council of States overturned the proposal by 23 votes to 21.

The motion will now go back to the National Council, the lower house of the Federal Assembly, to be discussed and voted again, which is expected on Monday.

The National Council earlier this week voted to cut funding for UNRWA, the organization being accused of lacking objectivity following the cross border Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

Both houses have to approve a proposal before it is put into effect.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, had expressed his disappointment at the decision, and expressed hope that the Swiss Senate would overturn it.

At the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Lazzarini called on his partners "not to act on the basis of distorted facts." He was "appalled" by the smear campaigns directed not only against the Palestinians, but also against those who supported them.

*Timo Kirez from Geneva contributed to this story