UN agencies operating in the Gaza Strip fired several staff members in January after Israeli authorities presented evidence of their alleged involvement in a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. Of the 12 staff members accused, two died.
The United Nations is the main
American financial aid The generosity of Israel’s other allies, says Philippe Lazzarini, executive director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. promised “UNRWA staff involved in terrorist acts will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
After the initial cuts, the UN’s internal watchdog carried out a months-long investigation to determine the extent of terrorist corruption in Lazzarini’s organization, during which other staff members were also marked as potential terrorists.
“The UN cannot run a state-like operation in Gaza without being infiltrated by terrorist organisations.”
of
we, England, CanadaThe United States, the United Nations, and 13 other countries have suspended funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of the investigation. The US suspension of funding in particular appears to have prompted UNRWA to take the issue especially seriously. $422 million Even just in 2023.
The Israeli government
stated “The UN cannot run a state-like operation in Gaza without being infiltrated by terrorist organisations,” OIOS concluded in its report.
according to Following the report to the UN, investigators examined information from other sources, including email records, information about the agency’s vehicles and communications with several member states.
While Israeli intelligence was clearly crucial, UN spokesman Farhan Haq maintained that “OIOS was not able to independently authenticate much of the information provided because the information used by Israeli authorities to substantiate their allegations was under Israeli control.”
The report is classified, but Lazzarini said
detail Results of an OIOS investigation into 19 UNRWA staff allegedly involved in terrorist attacks.
Regarding one of the defendants, Lazzarini said, “OIOS was unable to obtain evidence to support the employee’s alleged involvement. The employee has reinstated to the agency.”
The Commissioner further argued that the evidence presented in nine of the 19 cases was insufficient to establish the involvement of officials in the terrorist attacks and that those investigations were closed.
OIOS appeared prepared to acknowledge that nine of the defendants were potential terrorists.
“In the remaining nine cases, if the evidence is genuine and corroborated, it may indicate that UNRWA staff may have been involved in the attack on October 7,” Lazzarini said. “As for the remaining nine, we have determined that they can no longer work for UNRWA. In the interest of UNRWA, all of their contracts will be terminated.”
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan slammed the report.
state“The UN investigation focused on only 19 UNRA employees, a disgrace! It was too little, too late. The investigation ignored the thousands of UN employees involved in Hamas’ terrorist activities and the extent of their involvement.”
“The Secretary-General must resign and UNRA must be shut down!,” Erdan continued. “Israel must act now to outlaw UNRA, declare it a terrorist organization, and expel its leaders from Israeli territory and bar them from entering the country.”
The OIOS report came months after a separate review committee, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, highlighted the need for UNRWA to implement a strategy to address “the growing politicization of its staff, which is affecting its neutrality”.
Panel
Final Report It also expressed concern that UNRWA facilities were being misused for “political or military gain”.
Even if the United States joins Canada, Australia and other countries in reversing its funding suspension to UNRWA after the OIOS investigation is completed, Reuters reported.
Shown Any new funding would require approval from Congress, and Republican lawmakers ultimately passed a bill in March to defund the agency.
“Not one more penny of your tax money should go to UNRWA.”
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Said When the corresponding invoice is issued, HR 2882“This bill would ban funding for UNRWA, which is effectively a Hamas umbrella organization. If passed, this bill would ensure that not a single American taxpayer dollar goes to support this deeply flawed organization.”
There seems to be some opposition to the change in funding policy for UNRWA.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)
Tweeted On Monday, he said: “The UN has admitted that UNRWA employed the terrorists who massacred and raped American and Israeli civilians on October 7th. Not one penny of your tax money should go to UNRWA.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn
I have written“We should not give a cent to UNRWA, which is anti-Semitic and supports terrorists.”
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