The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, has called on the countries that have halted funding to reconsider their decision. Lazzarini emphasized the importance of UNRWA in providing essential services to over two million people in Gaza and criticized the suspension of funds based on allegations against a small group of staff. In response, UNRWA has terminated the contracts of the employees in question and initiated an independent investigation. The countries that have suspended funding include Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
UNRWA is the largest UN agency operating in Gaza, offering healthcare, education, and other forms of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The agency employs around 13,000 people in Gaza and has used its facilities to shelter displaced civilians during the recent conflict with Israel. The allegations against UNRWA staff were supplied by Israel, which has consistently accused UN agencies, including UNRWA, of bias and antisemitism.
In response to the accusations, UNRWA has shared lists of its staff with host countries, including Israel, and never received concerns regarding specific individuals. The agency has emphasized its cooperation with the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services in conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s adviser, Mark Regev, has supported the allegations, claiming that individuals involved in the Hamas attacks were on UNRWA salaries and that teachers in UNRWA schools openly celebrated the attacks. The allegations have prompted major donor countries to temporarily halt their funding to UNRWA, including the UK and the US.
The UK Foreign Office expressed its appall at the allegations, stating that it is temporarily pausing future funding until a comprehensive review of the claims has been conducted. The US State Department also announced the suspension of additional funding, expressing deep concern over the allegations. The European Union (EU) stated that it would assess further steps based on the outcome of a thorough investigation. Notably, the US, Germany, and the EU are significant donors to UNRWA.
Amidst the criticism and suspension of funds, UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed his horror at the news. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz aims to halt UNRWA’s operations in Gaza after the war, while the Palestinian Authority’s minister for civilian affairs, Hussein Al-Sheikh, warned that the decision to pause support for UNRWA could lead to significant political and humanitarian risks.
The allegations surrounding UNRWA have had significant consequences on the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian aid to the approximately 1.7 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza. With over 26,000 Palestinians killed and 12 weeks of fighting, UNRWA is struggling to deliver essential aid to those affected by the conflict. The developments in funding suspension and allegations against UNRWA staff have substantial implications for the future of the agency and its mission to support Palestinian refugees.
Countries urged to reconsider halt in funding for UNRWA amidst allegations of staff involvement in Hamas attacks
