The House Foreign Affairs Committee calls on the head of the global Palestinian refugee agency to testify before Congress over “a number of troubling allegations” leveled against the agency during Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. is requesting that you do so.
Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) sent a letter to Philip Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), urging him to attend the hearing.
“I remain extremely concerned about the widespread allegations of corruption at UNRWA and the millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been transferred to UNRWA this year. “As with any terrorist incident, this needs to be solved as soon as possible,” McCall said. he told FOX News Digital.
He said the committee had already heard testimony that “directly contradicts UNRWA’s claims” and that “it is now more important than ever that the American people hear directly from Mr. Lazzarini in public.” Stated.
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House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has called on the UNRWA chief to testify at a hearing.
The letter said Lazzarini agreed to appear before the committee in a “private, members-only environment” in late January, citing “United Nations privileges and immunities” that prevent him from appearing in public. It is said that he was doing so.
“Regarding your letter, we must first point out that United Nations privileges and immunities do not preclude voluntary testimony,” the lawmakers responded. “Second, many members of this committee believe that UNRWA personnel took part in the horrific attacks on October 7, and that thousands of personnel have family or direct ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. We are gravely concerned by the allegations, but are sadly not surprised.”
“Additionally, we are outraged by recent reports that a Hamas military facility and server room is located directly below UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. To make matters worse, Hamas is siphoning electricity from UNRWA to operate this facility. Ta.”
McCaul noted that Lazzarini appeared before MEPs in 2021 and 2022 for “an exchange of views before the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET).”
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Mr McCall said UNRWA Director-General Philippe Lazzarini would brief MPs behind closed doors.
“If we are willing to appear before AFET, we are certainly able and willing to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, especially given the long-term and significant U.S. financial support for UNRWA,” he said. Probably.”
The letter was co-led by Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and Rep. Chris Smith (R.N.J.). are doing.
The United Nations is conducting an internal but independent investigation after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff of participating in a Hamas attack on October 7 last year that killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
After the allegations came to light, the Biden administration suspended funding to the agency, which helps Palestinian refugees. The United States had earmarked $51 million for UNRWA in fiscal year 2024.
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Lazzarini accused Israel of attacking a UNRWA facility in the Gaza Strip last month, killing nine people. Israel denies responsibility for the attack.
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“This facility is a clearly marked UN facility and, like all our facilities, its coordinates were shared with the Israeli authorities. Yet another blatant disregard for the basic rules of war,” Lazzarini said. I wrote this.
Fox News Digital reached out to UNRWA for comment on the letter, but there was no immediate response.
