UNRWA is still in the crosshairs after it emerged that some of its staff were involved in Hamas' attacks against Israel on October 7. Tel Aviv calls on the UN to act immediately.
After the USA and Canada, some European countries are now also stopping funding for the United Nations agency dealing with Palestinian refugees. Italy, the United Kingdom and Finland, along with Australia, have announced the suspension of financial support to UNRWA.
“We call on the UN to take immediate action against the UNRWA leadership”Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said after thanking the United States and Canada for the decision to suspend funding to UNRWA due to the ties of 12 of its staff to Hamas in the October 7 attack.
“We have been warning for years: UNRWA is perpetuating the refugee issue, hindering peace and serving as the civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza.” Katz, who hoped other countries would follow the example of the United States and Canada, stressed that UNRWA “is a price to pay must pay for his actions. UNRWA is not the solution.”
“Israel will ensure that UNRWA is not part of the post-war Gaza Strip,” Katz said, adding that he would “work to win” bipartisan support in the US, EU and other nations worldwide for the policy aimed at stopping UNRWA's activities in Gaza.
Tajani: “Italy also stops funding UNRWA”
“The Italian government has suspended funding for UNRWA following the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. Allied countries have recently made the same decision. We are determined to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population and protect the security of Israel,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on X.
For more information Photo agency ANSA “Suspected links to the Hamas attacks of October 7”, UNRWA investigates its employees – News – Ansa.it Guterres: “Horrified by the allegations”. The US and Canada stop funding the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (ANSA).
London also stops funding UNRWA, “we are shocked”
The UK has temporarily suspended future funding for UNRWA, the UN agency for the Palestinians, saying it was “appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attack on Israel”. In a statement to the Guardian, the Foreign Office said: “The UK is shocked by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the attack on October 7th. We are temporarily suspending future funding to UNRWA while we investigate the allegations. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
Finland stops funding UNRWA, “Let’s not give money to Hamas”
Finland has temporarily suspended support to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA because some staff are suspected of involvement in the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. Finnish Foreign Trade Minister Ville Tavio wrote in X that he made the decision personally. “We are waiting for an independent and thorough investigation. “Finland’s policy is that no subsidies will be paid to Hamas,” Tavio said. “Finnish money must not go to Hamas or other terrorists. There is a suspicion that employees of the aid recipient are involved in a terrorist attack. “A terrorist attack leads to the cessation of aid,” Tavio said in a press release.
Australia also stops funding UNRWA
Australia also suspended its funding of UNRWA following the scandal surrounding a dozen staff members allegedly involved in the October 7 terror attacks. “We are speaking to our partners and will temporarily suspend our disbursements and recent funding,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on X to the U.N. agency that supports Palestinian refugees, saying she was “deeply concerned by the allegations.” “including the firing (of the suspected employees) and the recent announcement of a thorough investigation into the allegations against the organization,” Wong added. “Australia received a similar ruling shortly after Canada, Italy and the United States.”
Hamas: “UN must not give in to Israel’s blackmail against UNRWA”
“We call on the United Nations and international institutions not to give in to the threats and blackmail of this villainous Nazi entity that is trying to cut off all the lifelines of our people,” Hamas wrote on Telegram, emphasizing “the importance of this role.” We support our aid organizations in providing aid to our people and documenting the crimes of the occupation, which surpass the most horrific crimes known to humanity in our modern times.”
PLO: “Suspension of funds to UNRWA poses a political risk”
The PLO called on the countries that have frozen funding to UNRWA to review their position, as this decision entails “political and aid risk.” Hussein al Sheikh, Secretary General of the PLO and senior official of the Palestinian Authority, said this on X. “This decision – he warned – carries a political risk. States are requested to withdraw their decision immediately.”
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