UNRWA continues to lose donors due its employees’ alleged collaboration in the October 7 attacks

The United States, Italy, Canada and Australia have reported that they will pause funding while the agency conducts an investigation to determine responsibility.

ONU; Hamas, cifras falsas — (Cordon Press)

Published by

Santiago Ospital

27 de enero, 2024

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Italy and Australia announced this Saturday that, along with the United States and Canada, they will suspend their donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The organization has lost some of its main donors, including the United States, it’s top donor.

The string of suspensions comes after UNRWA reported that it terminated several employees’ contracts and opened an investigation in 12 staff members, according to U.S. sources - to determine whether they participated in the October 7 terrorist attacks.

"The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7," said Commisioner General Philippe Lazzarini in a statement. "Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”

"I am deeply troubled by the allegations relating to some UNRWA employees," said Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, announcing that Canada will also pause funding to the agency until the results of the investigation are released, as promised by Lazzarini and Antonio Guterres, secretary general of the U.N.

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani announced this Saturday that Rome would follow in the same footsteps:

The Italian government is suspending UNRWA funding following the atrocious attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7. Allied countries have recently made the same decision. We are committed to humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, while protecting Israel's security.

Also on Saturday, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced her decision to also suspend donations:

The United Nations organization was accused numerous times of favoring Hamas. This included training terrorists in its schools and silencing reports of theft.