The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been active for decades in the Gaza Strip on suspicion of inciting Islamic extremism and anti-Semitism, on Friday accused it of participating in the horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. It was announced that some employees would be suspended.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “horrified” by the accusations and “an urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be carried out,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
a statement The move was announced by UNRWA Director-General Philippe Lazzarini, who declared:
To protect the Agency's ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these personnel and to launch an investigation to uncover the truth without delay. UNRWA personnel involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including criminal prosecution.
UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the heinous attack of October 7 and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families.
These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza rely on life-saving aid provided by government agencies since the start of the war. Anyone who betrays the United Nations' fundamental values betrays the people we serve in Gaza, the region and other parts of the world.
According to UNRWA's website, the United States was the agency's largest bilateral donor in 2022, contributing more than $340 million.
The US State Department also quickly reacted to the news, announcing that it would suspend additional funding to UNRWA while it reviewed “the allegations and the steps the UN is taking to address them.”
Twelve UNRWA personnel currently face charges of willingly participating in deadly Hamas terrorist attacks.State Department declared Based on the research,
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 25 and emphasized the need for a thorough and prompt investigation into the matter. We welcome the decision to conduct such an investigation and Secretary-General Guterres' commitment to take firm action if the allegations are found to be accurate.
We also welcome the announcement by the United Nations of a “comprehensive and independent” review of UNRWA. Those who took part in the heinous attack on October 7 must be held fully accountable.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
As Breitbart News reported, former President Donald Trump cut off U.S. funding to the group in 2018, but President Joe Biden reinstated the funding soon after taking office.
United Nations agencies and globalist groups breathed a collective “sigh of relief” on Sunday as they looked forward to the prospect of Joe Biden taking the White House and a return to the unrestricted flow of American taxpayers. https://t.co/BF4yNEtD1U
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) November 16, 2020
Last February, Biden administration officials boasted that they would donate more than $730 million of Americans' tax dollars to UNRWA, including $680 million between 2021, when Biden takes office, and early 2023. Secretary of State Antony Blinken then pledged to donate an additional $50 million soon. Last December.
“Since April 2021, we have demonstrated in very real and important terms our commitment to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in February.
“We have provided more than $890 million to the Palestinians, including more than $680 in humanitarian assistance to refugees in the region through UNRWA…When Secretary Blinken was in Ramallah, announced $50 million in funding.
A woman stands in front of UNRWA headquarters. (Ahmad Hasaballah/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said UNRWA's “humanitarian” workers had “blood on their hands” and praised the move to identify the defendants.
We thank the U.S. government for its leadership and taking this important step toward hosting the event. @UNRWA responsible. At least a dozen UNRWA personnel took part in the horrific attack on October 7. They are “humanitarian workers” with blood on their hands.
— Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) January 26, 2024
As Breitbart News reported, earlier this month, White House National Security Press Secretary John Kirby announced the Biden administration's support for UNRWA, which faces accusations of allowing Hamas terrorists to use its facilities. defended.
He said UNRWA is “providing food, water, [and] Delivered “medicine” to Palestinians in Gaza.
“They cannot be held responsible for Hamas's corruption,” he said. Mr Kirby was then asked whether UNRWA should “at least raise the alarm” about Hamas' use of its facilities.
When Kirby tried to deflect questions to the United Nations, it was pointed out that the Biden administration had donated “$1 billion” to UNRWA.
