Many countries have suspended their funding to UNRWA.

New. At least four countries have announced that they will temporarily stop funding the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) after the organization said it was allegedly taking part in Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7. The taker will “immediately” terminate contracts with many employees.

What is UNRWA? The full development of the acronym is ‘United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees’. As its name suggests, its task is to help Palestinian refugees by providing education, health care, social services, infrastructure or emergency assistance “even in times of armed conflict”, as stated on the official website. Its financing depends “almost entirely” on voluntary contributions from UN member states, although it also receives funding from the UN’s regular budget.

Which countries will stop funding it?

usa, Canada, Italy And Australia They are the states that have announced that they will temporarily suspend financial assistance to the UN agency while it becomes clear what happened. For now, the EU has limited itself to saying it will “evaluate the new measures based on the outcome of a thorough and detailed investigation and draw lessons.”

Context. On October 7, Palestinian fighters from Hamas – a group considered terrorists by the United States and the European Union – launched a surprise attack against Israel. In this he killed more than one thousand people and kidnapped more than two hundred. UNRWA is now investigating the alleged involvement of some of its workers in the attack that sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in which more than 26,000 Palestinians have died at the hands of Israeli forces.

More than 80 Spanish cities called for demonstrations against the war in Gaza under the slogan “Let’s stop the genocide in Palestine”.

Investigation. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement that it was Israeli officials who informed him about the alleged involvement of his staff in the 7 October attack. The agency has not yet said how many employees are involved. It only stated that it would “launch an investigation to clarify the truth without delay” and that any employee “who has been involved in acts of terrorism should be held accountable, including through criminal proceedings.” “

Main donor governments. in the year 2022 ranking The United States led the way among government donors to UNRWA, with $343,937,718, followed by Germany ($202,054,285) and the European Union ($114,199,150). Canada, Italy and Australia, the other three countries that, along with the United States, have announced a temporary suspension of financing, appeared top 20With injections of $23,713,560, 18,033,970 and $13,797,995 respectively.

Israel’s response. Israel’s new Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, have given thanks To the United States and Canada to decide to suspend funding to UNRWA. He has also shared it on his social network account

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sources say

UNRWA statement on the alleged involvement of several activists in Hamas attacks in October

UNRWA official website

US State Department: ‘Statement on UNRWA allegations’

Ahmed Hussain’s X account

Account of X by Antonio Tajani

Senator Penny Wong’s X Account

EU: ‘Israel/Gaza: Statement by the Commission and High Representative Borrell on allegations of involvement of UNRWA staff in the 7 October attacks’

UNRWA: funding trends

Haaretz: ‘Government approves appointment of Israel Katz as Foreign Minister, replacing Eli Cohen’

Israel Katz’s X Account