WCK confirms “changes” to its hiring policy following Israeli accusations against workers in Gaza

MADRID Dec. 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK), run by Spanish chef José Andrés, announced this Tuesday a series of “changes” in the hiring of its staff in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli authorities justified an attack against a convoy of the organization arguing that an employee was a member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

“Following the tragic attack on November 30, Israel publicly demanded an investigation into our hiring practices in Gaza (…) Although these measures cannot guarantee complete security, they help reduce the risk of attacks on our equipment, kitchens and distribution sites,” WCK reported in a statement.

Thus, and “based on the results” of this investigation, the organization has announced that it is making “the difficult decision to make changes in Gaza.” Despite everything, and although it does not delve into more details about its decision, the NGO has stressed that this measure should not be interpreted as a conclusion that its workers are affiliated with any terrorist organization.

WCK has asserted that before the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military authority in charge of the Palestinian territories, took charge of security checks in Gaza, it had no reason to worry about “any of the individuals” identified by Israel.

“As Israel does not share intelligence information with aid organizations, we do not know the reasons for Israel’s decision to flag these individuals. However, we considered this measure was necessary to protect our team and our operations,” he added. WCK.

In this context, the organization found itself in a situation in which it had the option of closing its operations in Gaza – as it did temporarily – or “adapting to the request” of Israel. By bowing to the demands of the Israeli authorities, WCK considers that it “protects the Palestinian children and families” who come daily to eat at its facilities.

“Despite these challenges, we remain focused on our mission. We praise our team in Gaza for feeding children every day, making the impossible possible,” stressed the NGO, which assures that to date it has served “almost 82 millions of meals” and stands as “a lifeline for many people. “We must continue,” he concluded.

At the end of November, the Israeli Army carried out an attack against a convoy in which an alleged WCK worker was traveling and whom the Israeli military authorities identified as an alleged member of Hamas who may have even participated in the attacks of September 7. October 2023, triggers of the current regional war.

In October 2023, Hamas carried out a large-scale offensive against Israeli territory in which more than 1,400 people died and another 240 were kidnapped and sent to the interior of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli Army began a military campaign that has already left nearly 45,000 Palestinians dead, including the main leadership of the Islamist organization.