Kingdom of the Netherlands’ explanation of the vote on the ‘Operations of UNRWA’ resolution and ‘Assistance to Palestine refugees’ resolution, at the United Nations 4th Committee

Diplomatic statement | 19-11-2025

Mr./Ms. President,

I thank you for convening today’s 4th Committee session.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands voted in favour of the ‘Operations of UNRWA’ resolution and ‘Assistance to Palestine refugees’ resolution. We would, however, like to provide some further considerations. UNRWA neutrality-related issues are not yet solved, including host-country textbooks with problematic content still being used in some UNRWA schools. And we need to be absolutely sure that incidents, like when UNRWA staff members had to be dismissed as they might have been involved in the horrendous 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks against Israel, can never occur again. We strongly urge the organization to fully implement the recommendations from the Colonna report as soon as possible. We would like to reiterate that all textbooks should be free from antisemitism and hate and in full compliance with UNESCO standards.

With regard to UNRWA's long-standing role and its mandate, the Kingdom of the Netherlands remains committed to provide humanitarian aid through various channels to those in need. We have over the past two years focused on reinforcing other professional, mandated aid organizations in the Gaza Strip, pursuing diversification of the local humanitarian architecture. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aims at reducing the reliance on the implementing capacity of one organization alone for the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip. We consider this over-reliance on one organization as undesirable. 

I thank you.