The U.S. Germany, the UK, Finland, Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have paused funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Paletsinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), following reports that UNRWA staff were involved in October's terrorist attack on Israel.
Eight countries join U.S. in pausing funding to UN aid agency in Gaza | Axios | Barak Ravid:
January 27, 2024 - "Germany, Canada, the U.K., and six other Western nations have joined the U.S. in pausing funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency after Israel alleged 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack..... UNRWA has fired the accused staffers and launched an investigation. The head of UNRWA warned on Saturday that 'lifesaving assistance is about to end' due to nine countries' decision to suspend funding....
"A senior Israeli official said the Shin Bet and Israeli military intelligence provided information that pointed to the active participation of UNRWA staffers and the use of the agency's vehicles and facilities during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. 'This was strong and corroborated intelligence,' the official said. 'A lot of the intelligence is a result of interrogations of militants who were arrested during the Oct. 7 attack.'
"The U.S. on Friday became the first country to pause its funding to UNRWA over the allegations. It was the first step by the Biden administration against UNRWA since renewing U.S. funding to the agency after the Trump administration completely cut it off. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the ... the administration has 'temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.'
"Germany, UNRWA's second-largest donor, joined the U.S. in pausing funding on Saturday. The U.K., Finland, Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland also temporarily suspended their funding....
[UNRWA chief Philippe] Lazzarini said on Friday he terminated the contracts of the accused staff members and launched an investigation .... 'Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," Lazzarini said.... The UN will conduct an 'urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA,' Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said on Friday. Guterres ... has also asked Lazzarini to 'investigate this matter swiftly and to ensure that any UNRWA employee shown to have participated or abetted what transpired on 7 October, or in any other criminal activity, be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution,' he added.
"Miller said Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke to Guterres on Thursday.... Miller welcomed the UN's announcement of a comprehensive and independent review of UNRWA.... 'UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support,' Miller added. 'Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures.'
"Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday thanked the Biden administration for 'taking an important step in holding UNRWA accountable.... Terrorism under the guise of humanitarian work is a disgrace to the UN and the principles it claims to represent," he added."
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/01/26/unrwa-gaza-hamas-israel-attack
Why are some countries suspending funding from the UNRWA? | Analyst explains | CTV News | January 29, 2024:
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