The European Commission is reassessing funding for the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) in light of allegations that 12 of its staff members were involved in the October 7 attack, while The most critical voices were Belgium, Ireland, Denmark and Spain. -The national bloc continues to provide funding.
The EU’s decision comes after several countries, including the US, UK, Switzerland, Japan and several EU member states, suspended support for the largest UN agency operating in Gaza.
After the allegations emerged on Friday, Germany, Austria, France, Italy and the Netherlands quickly suspended the funds.
In 2023, Ireland provided UNRWA with €18 million and Spain with €18.5 million. In 2022, Belgium provided 13.5 million euros to UN agencies.
“Lifesaving humanitarian aid must continue to reach civilians in the Gaza/Palestinian area, especially now, with UNRWA playing a vital role,” said Belgian Development Minister Caroline Genes.
Norway also decided to continue providing funding, noting that it was important to distinguish between “what individuals have done and what UNRWA represents.”
“We cannot punish all people who are refugees and internally displaced persons all at once,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Wald Eide said, urging other countries to continue funding UNRWA.
Danish Development Minister Dan Jorgensen told national media that Denmark would not withdraw its support until the incident was fully investigated.
UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini said it was “shocking” that countries were cutting funding to the agency in response to allegations against “some staff”. “It is highly irresponsible to sanction an entire agency and the communities it serves because of allegations of criminal conduct against a few individuals, especially in a region affected by war, displacement, and political crisis. During your waking hours.”
Israeli documents shared with the United States include nine teachers allegedly involved in the October 7 attack in which Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis and took about 200 hostages, including 12 Charges have been brought against UNRWA personnel.
UNRWA has more than 30,000 employees.
“UNRWA supports perpetuating the Palestinian refugee crisis rather than resolving it… In doing so, it fuels extremist violence and has blood on its hands,” Israeli Spokesman Eilon said.・Mr. Levy said on X (formerly Twitter).
EU audit
The EU on Monday (January 29) told UNRWA that UNRWA would be “tested by independent external experts appointed by the EU” to ensure it has adequate systems in place to prevent its staff from engaging in terrorism. They were asked to agree to an “audit of their institutions to be carried out.”
It also said that no additional funding was planned for UNRWA until the end of February.
Asked about the impact of such a decision, European Commission chief spokesperson Eric Mummer said that a conclusion would depend on “the exact schedule of the audit and whether it will be completed by the next payment deadline.” It’s impossible.”
Nevertheless, the EU executive also said that humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the West Bank “will continue unabated” through partner organizations.
UNRWA announced last Friday that it would launch its own investigation. The International Court of Justice in The Hague on Friday ordered Israel and South Africa to do everything in their power to stop the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, in an ongoing case arguing for and against “genocide” in both countries. It was the day the verdict was handed down. ”
“Given the interim measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, strengthening UNRWA’s operations seems even more important for the day-to-day survival of the Palestinian people,” said Manu Pineda, a left-wing Spanish lawmaker. said the parliamentary representative in charge of relations with Palestine. Palestine.
The EU Commission welcomed the investigation but called for an “immediate investigation to be launched” of all UNRWA staff to ensure that they did not take part in the attack.
The EU is one of UNRWA’s largest donors. It is estimated that from 2021 to 2023, the EU provided around EUR 281 million to UN agencies.