Why Do Countries Suspend Funding UNRWA? (image@UNRWA)
After Israel’s claim that workers of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) played a role in the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, the agency has sacked several employees, after being briefed on the allegations. Israel’s accusations are contained in a dossier provided to the United States government that details Israel’s claims against dozens of UNRWA employees, as reported by The New York Times.
According to Israel, the UNRWA workers are involved in helping Hamas stage the October 7th attack against Israel, which killed some 1200 Israelis and 240 takes as hostages. Earlier, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified of these accusations” and added that nine of the 12 accused employees were fired.
UNRWA did not provide more information on whether the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services will still continue their investigation. The Israeli dossier said that the accusations are made after the intelligence officers had established the movements of the six men inside Israel on October 7 based in their phones, and others had been monitored while making phone calls from inside Gaza, during which, the Israeli officials say, they had been discussing their involvement in the Hamas attack.
Following the accusation, US, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland suspended their funding to the agency. French Foreign Ministry announced that France has not planned a new payment to fund the UNRWA during the first quarter of 2024. It said it will decide when time comes what actions should be taken in conjunction with the UN and its main donors.
UNRWA chief, Philippe Lazzarini asked not to suspend funding to the Agency. He said it was “shocking to see a suspension of funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation. The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter”.
Ireland and Norway expressed their continued support for UNRWA, saying that the agency does crucial work to help the Palestinians who are displaced and desperate need for the assistance in Gaza. In a statement, Norway government said, “we need to distinguish between what the individuals may have done, and what UNRWA stands for”. The statement said that the organization’s tens of thousands of employees in Gaza and West Bank play a “crucial role” in distributing desperately needed aids, safeguarding the basic needs and rights. Irish Foreign Minister, Michael Martin on X (formerly twitter) said that “Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work”.
Full confidence in @UNLazzarini“s decision to immediately suspend @UNRWA staff suspected of participation in the heinous attacks of October 7, to investigate thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror.
🇮🇪 has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA’s vital Gaza work. (1/2)
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 27, 2024
