Senior Palestinian officials and Hamas have criticized the decision by nearly a dozen Western countries to suspend funding to the United Nations relief agency for the Palestinians and called for an immediate reversal of the decision, which includes a “big” risk.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said earlier that it had launched an investigation after Israel alleged that some of its employees were involved in the attacks of October 7 which sparked the current conflict.
That prompted at least 10 Western countries to withdraw or temporarily suspend funding to the agency, a move the UNRWA chief called “shocking.”
“The suspension of funds threatens humanitarian work in the region, particularly in Gaza,” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said Saturday evening, calling on countries that have frozen their funding to “reconsider their decisions,” while that Gaza faces the risk of mass famine. .
Earlier, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh said the countries’ decision “involves great political and humanitarian risks.”
“At this particular moment and in light of the continued aggression against the Palestinian people, we need the maximum support for this international organization and not to stop providing it with our support and assistance,” he said. wrote on X, urging countries to “immediately reverse their decision.” “.
We call on countries that have announced the cessation of their support to #UNRWA to immediately reverse their decision, which involves great political and humanitarian risks, as is the case at the moment and in light of the continued aggression against the Palestinians…
– حسين الشيخ Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) January 27, 2024
The United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Scotland have suspended funding to the agency, whose Facilities where displaced Palestinians sought shelter were repeatedly attacked during Israeli air raids.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the 27-member bloc would “assess what steps to take and draw lessons based on the results of a full and thorough investigation.”
Ireland and Norway, however, expressed their continued support for UNRWA, saying the agency is doing crucial work to help displaced Palestinians in desperate need of aid in Gaza.
Investigation
Hamas denounced Israeli “threats” against the agency on Saturday, after Israel accused several UNRWA personnel of being involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel that it said authorities, killed around 1,140 people.
“We ask the UN and international organizations not to give in to threats and blackmail” from Israel, Hamas’ press service said in an article on Telegram.
On Friday, UNRWA announced that it had fired several employees and opened an investigation into the allegations.
“Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information on the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks against Israel on October 7,” Lazzarini said.
“In order to protect the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have made the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation to establish the truth without delay.
He did not reveal the number of employees or the nature of their alleged involvement, but said that “any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terrorism” would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
Shortly after, on Friday, the United States announced it was ending funding to UNRWA over allegations against 12 employees it said “may have been involved” in the Hamas attack.
Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen also said Friday that Ottawa had “temporarily suspended” additional funding while UNRWA conducts a full investigation.
Aid freeze
On Saturday, the UK said it had joined the US in “temporarily suspending” future financial aid to UNRWA, which is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member countries .
“The United Kingdom is appalled by allegations that UNRWA personnel were involved in the October 7 attack on Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the British government has repeatedly condemned,” the statement said. Foreign and Commonwealth Office in a statement.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country was joining its allies and reducing support for the agency. “Allied countries made a similar decision. We are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population while protecting the security of Israel,” he posted on X.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “deeply concerned” about the allegations against UNRWA, but welcomed the agency’s investigation. “We are talking with partners and will temporarily suspend the disbursement of recent funding,” she wrote on X.
Dutch Trade and Development Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen announced a funding freeze while the investigation is underway. “The accusation is that the attack was carried out on October 7 with UN money, with our money,” he told public broadcaster NOS on Saturday.
The German Foreign Ministry also suspended funding, stating: “Until the investigation is completed, Germany, in coordination with other donor countries, will temporarily not approve any new funding for UNRWA to Gaza. »
“Stop” UNRWA activities
Israel praised countries that ended their support for the UN agency, saying it wanted to completely shut down its operations after the end of the war on Gaza.
Congratulating the US government for its decision to stop funding @UNRWA after it was revealed that some of its employees were involved in the heinous massacre of #October7.
We have been warning for years: @UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace and serves as…
– ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 27, 2024
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Israel “aims to promote a policy ensuring that UNRWA is not part of tomorrow, by addressing other contributing factors.”
“We will work to secure bipartisan support in the United States, the European Union and other countries around the world for this policy to end UNRWA activities in Gaza,” he said. he declares.
UNRWA was founded following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 to provide hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinian refugees with education, health care, social services and jobs. Its activity began in 1950.
The cash-strapped agency now supports nearly 6 million Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as neighboring Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The agency’s shelters in Gaza were also repeatedly targeted by Israeli missiles during the war, despite calls for safe passages to deliver humanitarian aid.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pledged to conduct an “urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA” following Israel’s allegations.
At least 26,257 people have been killed and 64,797 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.
