JERUSALEM: The UN company for Palestinian refugees mentioned Friday (Jan 26) it had sacked a number of workers accused by Israel of involvement in Hamas’s Oct 7 assault, prompting the USA to droop crucial funding.
The top of the company, Philippe Lazzarini, vowed to carry “accountable, together with by means of legal prosecution” any UNRWA worker discovered to have taken half in acts of terror.
In response to the firings, UN chief Antonio Guterres pledged to conduct an “pressing and complete impartial evaluate of UNRWA”, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric mentioned.
The US State Division mentioned in a press release that it was “extraordinarily troubled” by the allegations towards the company, UNRWA, and has “quickly paused extra funding … whereas we evaluate these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to deal with them”.
Twelve workers “might have been concerned”, it added.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Thursday with the top of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, “to emphasise the need of a radical and swift investigation of this matter”, the assertion mentioned.
“We additionally welcome the UN’s announcement of a ‘complete and impartial’ evaluate of UNRWA. There should be full accountability for anybody who participated within the heinous assaults of October 7,” the State Division mentioned.
The assertion underlined that “UNRWA performs a crucial function in offering lifesaving help to Palestinians, together with important meals, medication, shelter, and different important humanitarian help”.
“Their work has saved lives, and it’s important that UNRWA tackle these allegations and take any applicable corrective measures, together with reviewing its present insurance policies and procedures.”
Israel’s overseas ministry mentioned Friday it was “anticipating an pressing investigation of UNRWA on the involvement of its workers within the terror assault of October 7”.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, mentioned the sackings proved long-standing claims that “UNRWA workers are collaborators of the terrorist group Hamas”.
