https://www.timesofisrael.com/unrwa...ider-as-germany-joins-cascade-freezing-funds/
he head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees urged donor countries not to freeze funds in the wake of allegations that staffers had participated in the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, calling the move “immensely irresponsible” as Germany and Scotland became the latest to announce funding freezes.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini expressed alarm over the cuts, saying they put 2 million Gazans relying on the UN body for humanitarian aid at risk.
“It is 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,” Lazzarini said Saturday night.
Nine countries, including the US and Britain, have said they are suspending funding for the agency. The moves came as Lazzarini announced Friday that UNRWA had sacked several staffers and ordered an independent investigation following information from Israel showing that UNRWA employees had been involved in the October 7 onslaught.
Some 1,200 people were killed during the unprecedented attack across southern Israel, most of them civilians. Another 253 people, also largely civilians, were abducted and taken into Gaza, where over 130 remain.
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Lazzarini argued Saturday night that the funding suspensions amounted to a form of collective punishment.
Workers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) hand out flour rations and other supplies to people at an UNRWA warehouse in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 12, 2023. (Mohammed Abed/AFP)
“It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region,” he said.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded to Lazzarini’s comments by tweeting to him to “please resign.”
he head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees urged donor countries not to freeze funds in the wake of allegations that staffers had participated in the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, calling the move “immensely irresponsible” as Germany and Scotland became the latest to announce funding freezes.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini expressed alarm over the cuts, saying they put 2 million Gazans relying on the UN body for humanitarian aid at risk.
“It is 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,” Lazzarini said Saturday night.
Nine countries, including the US and Britain, have said they are suspending funding for the agency. The moves came as Lazzarini announced Friday that UNRWA had sacked several staffers and ordered an independent investigation following information from Israel showing that UNRWA employees had been involved in the October 7 onslaught.
Some 1,200 people were killed during the unprecedented attack across southern Israel, most of them civilians. Another 253 people, also largely civilians, were abducted and taken into Gaza, where over 130 remain.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories
Newsletter email addressGET IT
By signing up, you agree to the terms
Lazzarini argued Saturday night that the funding suspensions amounted to a form of collective punishment.
Workers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) hand out flour rations and other supplies to people at an UNRWA warehouse in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 12, 2023. (Mohammed Abed/AFP)
“It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region,” he said.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded to Lazzarini’s comments by tweeting to him to “please resign.”
