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In an official document filed in a US court, the United Nations, with support from the US Department of Justice, has argued that UNRWA employees who were involved in the October 7 massacre are immune from legal action, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 News reported on Saturday evening.
According to the document, UNRWA employees involved in the massacre are shielded from prosecution due to their immunity.
"Since the UN has not waived immunity in this instance, its subsidiary, UNRWA, continues to enjoy absolute immunity from prosecution, and the lawsuit should be dismissed," the UN's response stated.
he US Department of Justice echoed this position. "The plaintiff's complaint does not present a legal basis for claiming that the United Nations waived its immunity. Therefore, because the UN has not waived immunity in this case, its subsidiary, UNRWA, retains full immunity, and the lawsuit against UNRWA should be dismissed due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction."
Attorney Gaby Meron of the law firm MM-LAW filed the lawsuit accusing UNRWA of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity and is preparing a formal response to the court, Channel 12 noted in their report.
Channel 12 noted that this decision creates a significant legal hurdle for the victims of the massacre and their families, who must demonstrate that the immunity protecting UNRWA employees should be revoked.
Ayelet Samerano, mother of Yonatan Samerano who was murdered on October 7, confront UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini in Switzerland. August 1, 2024. (credit: UN Watch)
UNRWA employees have been accused of acts of murder, abduction, and the taking of hostages on October 7.
According to the document, UNRWA employees involved in the massacre are shielded from prosecution due to their immunity.
"Since the UN has not waived immunity in this instance, its subsidiary, UNRWA, continues to enjoy absolute immunity from prosecution, and the lawsuit should be dismissed," the UN's response stated.
he US Department of Justice echoed this position. "The plaintiff's complaint does not present a legal basis for claiming that the United Nations waived its immunity. Therefore, because the UN has not waived immunity in this case, its subsidiary, UNRWA, retains full immunity, and the lawsuit against UNRWA should be dismissed due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction."
Attorney Gaby Meron of the law firm MM-LAW filed the lawsuit accusing UNRWA of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity and is preparing a formal response to the court, Channel 12 noted in their report.
Channel 12 noted that this decision creates a significant legal hurdle for the victims of the massacre and their families, who must demonstrate that the immunity protecting UNRWA employees should be revoked.
UNRWA employees have been accused of acts of murder, abduction, and the taking of hostages on October 7.
