In a recent statement, the European Union’s top humanitarian aid official cast doubt on accusations leveled against staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by Israel. The official, Janez Lenarcic, expressed concern over the lack of evidence provided by Israel to substantiate its claims and emphasized the critical role UNRWA plays in assisting Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza.
The controversy surrounding UNRWA arose when Israel accused several of its staff members of involvement in attacks against Israel on October 7th. These allegations led to a pause in funding from UNRWA’s largest donor, the United States, and prompted other donors to reconsider their support, raising doubts about the agency’s future.
Despite the uncertainty, Lenarcic expressed cautious optimism regarding the agency’s prospects, suggesting that some donors may soon resume their support. However, he acknowledged that the US funding pause could become permanent due to opposition in Congress.
As a significant donor to UNRWA, the EU pledged 50 million euros to the agency on March 1st. Still, it decided to withhold 32 million euros pending further investigation into the Israeli allegations.
Lenarcic emphasized that neither he nor any other EU executive members had been presented with evidence by Israel to support the accusations against UNRWA staff. He stressed that even if the allegations were proven true, it wouldn’t necessarily implicate UNRWA as a whole, advocating for individual accountability rather than collective blame.
UNRWA, according to Lenarcic, has responded appropriately to the allegations by initiating investigations and taking necessary measures. He praised the agency’s vital role in providing aid and services to Palestinian refugees, citing its unmatched infrastructure and logistical capabilities.
Many journalists and news agencies, including the UK’s Channel 4, have said that they have looked at the dossier and no evidence was provided by Israel. According to CNN, the network has not had access to the intelligence supporting the summary of allegations. Additionally, CNN has said that the summary itself lacks evidence to substantiate its claims.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with casualties mounting in Gaza. This situation has exposed divisions within the European Union, with some member states expressing greater sympathy towards the Palestinians, a move that hasn’t been seen before October 7.
