He UN Secretary GeneralAntónio Guterres, created one Call to ensure the continuity of the work of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA) while preventing the possible involvement of 12 of its members in the October 7 attacks Israel.
In a careful message full Diplomatic balance sheetsGuterres admits that “the alleged terrible acts this employee should face consequences,” but remember that there are “tens of thousands of people (approximately 30,000)” who work for this agency and who should not be punished.
Furthermore, he insists that “the desperate needs of the people UNRWA serves must be addressed,” which is why he is making a dramatic appeal to the countries that have announced they will stop funding the organization, including the United States and many European countries.
“Although I understand your concerns, I’m calling main emphasis At least these governments Guarantee continuity of UNRWA operations,” says the Secretary General.
Allegedly involved in the attacks belong to the agency
The statement also provides information about the people suspected of being involved in the attacks who belong to the authority: They were informed immediately identified And expelled According to UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, one is dead and the identities of two others are being determined.
Guterres confirmed that the ministry had opened an investigation Internal Affairs since last Friday, in addition to another that will independently and globally review the activities of this agency.
Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly blamed the UN
The case of 12 UNRWA staff The terrible relationship between the government of Israel and the entire system United Nations: The government of Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly accused the United Nations in general and all its organizations of bias in favor of the Palestinians and against Israel.
He even called for the resignation of the Secretary General himself, Antonio Guterresmultiple.
Last Friday, from the same stand of the General meetingthe Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan stated: “The UN has become a weapon not only to delegitimize our existence, but also to physically exterminate us.”
Countries that have announced the suspension of UNRWA funding
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Finland and Germany have publicly announced the suspension of UNRWA funding.
On the other hand, other countries such as Ireland either Norway They reiterated their commitment to funding UNRWA and recalled the importance of its work.
France will decide “in due course” on possible measures against UNRWA
The French government has the “extraordinary severity“The allegations regarding the alleged involvement of staff from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the attacks on Israel on October 7th have announced that they will do so will not be suspended We are currently funding this agency, as other countries have done.
“France does not plan to make any payments (to UNRWA) in the first half of 2024 and I’ll decide when the time comes what measures must be taken in collaboration with the United Nations and major donors to ensure that all their transparency and security requirements are met,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
France, the text says, “has decided to significantly increase its numbers humanitarian support “Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza for the civilian population in Gaza” and has therefore “contributed almost 60 million euros to UNRWA operations in 2023”.
Paris stressed “the urgent need to take swift and decisive action to ensure that the Agency carries out its mandate in a spirit free from incitements to hatred or violence”, recalling that the alleged involvement of twelve UNRWA employees played a role in the attacks on October 7th “clearly condemned” by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“We hope that the investigations launched in recent days will shed light on past events and will be accompanied by concrete measures that will be implemented quickly,” the French diplomatic statement said.