A number of main donor nations to the UN Company for Palestinian Refugees joined the US and stated on Saturday they might droop their funding following allegations by Israel that a number of UNRWA workers have been concerned within the October 7 Hamas assault.
The U.S. State Division stated Friday it has suspended funds to the group. The US underscored that “UNRWA performs a vital position in offering lifesaving help to Palestinians, together with important meals, medication, shelter and different important humanitarian help.” UNRWA is the United Nations humanitarian company serving the Palestinians.
The group stated it had opened an investigation into allegations from Israel wherein a few of its workers took half Hamas’ assault on October 7. State Division spokesman Matthew Miller stated 12 UNRWA workers had been accused of collaborating.
UNWRA head Philippe Lazzarini stated in a press release on Saturday that 9 nations have suspended funding for the company, threatening “our continued humanitarian work throughout the area, together with and particularly within the Gaza Strip.” He added: “It could be grossly irresponsible to sanction an Company and a whole neighborhood it serves over allegations of legal acts in opposition to some people, particularly at a time of warfare, displacement and political crises within the area.”
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Canadian Worldwide Growth Minister Ahmed Hussen additionally introduced Friday that Ottawa has “briefly suspended all further funding to UNRWA whereas it undertakes a radical investigation into these allegations.”
UNRWA responded by saying it had fired a number of staff over Israel’s accusations, and promised a radical investigation into the claims, which have been unspecified, whereas Israel pledged to halt the group’s work in Gaza after the warfare. Prime UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stated Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres had been knowledgeable of the state of affairs by Lazzarini and was “shocked by this information and has requested Mr Lazzarini to promptly examine this matter”.
Here is what the nations that suspended funding stated in regards to the allegations:
Germany introduced late on Saturday that it was suspending funding for UNRWA.
Australian International Minister Penny Wong stated on Saturday that whereas UNRWA is “offering important, life-saving work”, Brisbane would “briefly pause the disbursement of current funding”.
“We welcome UNRWA’s rapid response, together with terminating contracts and launching an investigation,” she stated on social media platform X.
Finland, which had a four-year settlement to offer 5 million euros ($5.4 million) yearly to UNRWA, suspended its funds and referred to as for an “impartial and thorough investigation,” in a press release from its international ministry.
“We should be certain that not a single euro of Finnish cash goes to Hamas or different terrorists,” the report stated.
Italian International Minister Antonio Tajani stated it joined these halting funding, including: “We’re decided to offer humanitarian help to the Palestinian folks whereas defending Israel’s safety.”
Switzerland, which has paid annual contributions of about 20 million Swiss francs ($23 million) to UNRWA, stated on Saturday that no determination could be made on the 2024 cost till the allegations are cleared up.
“Switzerland has zero tolerance for all types of assist for terrorism, and for calls to hatred or incitement to violence,” it added.
Dutch Minister of Commerce and Growth Geoffrey van Leeuwen introduced a freeze on UNRWA funding whereas the investigation is ongoing. He stated the federal government was “extraordinarily shocked”.
“The accusation is that the assault on October 7 was dedicated with UN cash, with our cash,” he informed NOS on Saturday.
The British authorities stated it was “shocked by the allegations” made by Israel and would “briefly pause any future funding” whereas the International Workplace reviewed the claims. The top of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has pledged to carry any company worker concerned in “acts of terrorism” “accountable, together with by way of legal prosecution.”
Canadian Worldwide Growth Minister Ahmed Hussen additionally introduced Friday that Ottawa has “briefly suspended all further funding to UNRWA whereas it undertakes a radical investigation into these allegations.”
Guterres pledged to conduct an “pressing and complete impartial evaluation of UNRWA,” Dujarric stated.
Haley Ott contributed to this report.