Published January 26, 2024
The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an organization for decades facing accusations of fueling radical Islam and antisemitism in Gaza, announced Friday it was suspending some staff over allegations they joined the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres “is horrified” by the accusations and an “urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted”, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
A statement setting out the move was issued by Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, declaring:
To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for 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 depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began. Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world.
The United States was the agency’s biggest bilateral donor in 2022, contributing more than $340 million, according to UNRWA’s website.
The U.S. State Department also reacted quickly to the news by stating it has paused additional funding for UNRWA while it reviews the allegations “and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.breitbart.com
RELATED:US pauses funding for UNRWA amid alleged involvement of staff members in attack on Israel
While recognizing the critical role that UNRWA plays in providing essential humanitarian support to Palestinians, including food, medicine, shelter, and other vital assistance, the United States emphasizes the need to address the allegations and implement appropriate corrective measures.
Published January 26, 2024
The United States has temporarily paused additional funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) pending the review of allegations that 12 staff members were involved in the October 7 attack, according to a press statement released by the U.S. Department of State.
In a press statement prepared by Matthew Miller, the department spokesperson, it was revealed that Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recently had a conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to underscore the importance of the conduct of a thorough and swift investigation into the matter.
The press statement notes that the United States welcomes the commitment of Guterres to conduct such an investigation and take appropriate action if the allegations prove to be true. Additionally, the UN’s announcement of a “comprehensive and independent” review of UNRWA is also welcomed.
While recognizing the critical role that UNRWA plays in providing essential humanitarian support to Palestinians, including food, medicine, shelter, and other vital assistance, the United States emphasizes the need to address the allegations and implement appropriate corrective measures. This includes a review of existing policies and procedures, as stated by the U.S. Department of State.
The State Department also revealed that the United States has reached out to the Government of Israel to gather more information about these allegations.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.gmanetwork.com
RELATED: UN agency fires staff members allegedly involved in October 7 attacks
The UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) is “immediately” terminating the contracts of staff members allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, pictured above, said on Friday.
Published January 26, 2024
The UN relief agency operating in Gaza said Friday that Israel had accused some of its staff of being involved in the October 7 attacks, and that their contracts would be “immediately” terminated.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli authorities provided the agency “with information” alleging several of its employees participated in Hamas’ murderous rampage into southern Israel, when the militant group killed at least 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others.
An investigation is being launched into the alleged involvement of the employees and those involved will be held accountable “including through criminal prosecution,” added Lazzarini. The commissioner-general said he made the decision in order to protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid.
It came hours after the UN’s top court ordered Israel to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, in a ruling that was largely welcomed by the three main parties involved.
In the wake of the allegations against UNRWA, the US State Department announced it had “temporarily paused additional funding” to the agency. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to “emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter,” State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said in a statement on Friday.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.edition.cnn.com
