Germany has, for the first time, withheld its support for extending the mandate of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA. At a preliminary vote in a UN General Assembly subcommittee in New York, the German representative abstained on Wednesday.

Germany has, for the first time, withheld its support for extending the mandate of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA.

At a preliminary vote in a UN General Assembly subcommittee in New York, the German representative abstained on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in Berlin that the government expects “consistent and verifiable reforms within UNRWA” before backing another mandate renewal.

The resolution passed with 144 votes in favour, 11 against and 16 abstentions. A final vote in the full General Assembly, which is set to extend UNRWA’s current mandate from mid-2026 to mid-2029, is scheduled for December.