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The head of the organization assures that UNRWA “staggers under the weight of incessant attacks”
June 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –
More than one hundred Israeli families have filed a lawsuit this Monday against the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) before the Southern District Court of New York, in the United States, for allegedly “financing” the Palestine Movement. Islamic Resistance (Hamas) and participating in the attacks on October 7, which left 1,200 dead and 240 hostages.
“UNRWA led a $1 billion money laundering operation that funded Hamas, greatly reducing humanitarian aid provided to Gaza residents and playing a key role in the September 7 attacks. October,” said one of the lawyers for these families, according to the American television network .
In that sense, the plaintiffs have assured that Hamas could not carry out its assault “without help,” and that UNRWA itself would have spent “around a decade” helping the Islamist group “build its terrorist infrastructure” and train its staff. staff.
They have also stated that the agency’s insistence on obtaining $1 billion to distribute in cash “is one of the most damning evidence” because “the locals could not spend (the dollars) without going through” the enclave’s authorities, controlled by Hamas.
“The findings of this lawsuit demonstrate that UNRWA was aware of and actively participated in the diversion of funds intended to support the people of Gaza into channels that ensured that these funds were used for terrorism and in violation of International Law,” reads the statement from the plaintiffs, who mainly accuse both former and current senior officials of the organization.
“UNRWA is aware of reports of a lawsuit filed against it in the United States. However, it has not been served with any legal process so far and is therefore not in a position to comment at this time.” , UNRWA communications director Juliette Touma told .
LAZZARINI WARNS THAT UNRWA IS SUFFERING “INCESSENT ATTACKS”
Shortly before, UNRWA High Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini declared before the UN Consultative Commission that the organization is suffering “incessant attacks” by Israel.
“UNRWA is reeling under the weight of relentless attacks. The agency is in the spotlight for its role in safeguarding the rights of Palestinian refugees and because it embodies the international commitment to a political solution. Israel has long criticized the mandate of the agency. But now it seeks to end UNRWA’s operations, disregarding the agency’s status as a United Nations entity supported by an overwhelming majority of Member States,” he said.
Following this, he stated that the Israeli Government is even carrying out legislative proposals to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization, which could endanger not only the organization itself, but other UN bodies.
Likewise, he recalled that 193 UNRWA workers have died in Israeli bombings, many of them in humanitarian operations that were being coordinated with the Israeli Army itself, which has also detained dozens of its members amid complaints of mistreatment and torture. . Likewise, he has denounced the military use of the organization’s facilities by Hamas and other Palestinian militias and Israeli military operations against them and against camps for refugees and displaced persons.
“In 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never encountered such blatant disregard for the protective status of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under International Law. Turning a blind eye to these attacks sets a dangerous precedent: compromises future humanitarian work and the rules-based international order in other conflict situations,” Lazzarini said.
The head of UNRWA has also spoken about the accusations against several of its members and their alleged involvement in the “abhorrent attacks” of October 7: “If proven true, these accusations would constitute an appalling betrayal of Palestine refugees and to the vital mandate of UNRWA.
“I immediately expelled the accused people,” he stressed and then explained that, of the 19 cases referred, one has been closed and the worker has been readmitted to the organization, while four are suspended for lack of more evidence and another 14 They are being investigated.
In the same way, he referred to the independent investigation led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, whose conclusions supported that UNRWA had established policies and mechanisms to guarantee its neutrality, although it made recommendations to update them.
“The Agency has published an updated policy directive on external activities and politics for local and international staff. The policy reiterates that, while staff are entitled to their personal opinions and beliefs, they cannot represent a government or political party, nor hold any high or public position. Membership in any militant or armed group or entity is prohibited,” added Lazzarini.
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