There are serious allegations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinians (UNRWA): employees are allegedly involved in the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. As a result, more and more countries are suspending UNRWA funding and demanding clarification.
Japan recently stopped payments, following other major donors such as the US and Germany. The government in Tokyo is “extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in the terrorist attack on Israel” and has “strongly called on UNRWA to conduct the investigation promptly and fully,” the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said.
Major lenders are suspending their payments
According to UNRWA, Japan is the aid agency’s sixth largest donor. Several countries, including major donors such as France, Great Britain, Italy and Australia and smaller donors such as Iceland and Finland, had already decided to suspend their payments until further notice.
Twelve employees under suspicion
Twelve employees of the UN aid organization are suspected of involvement in the major attack by the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas on October 7. About 1,200 people were killed in the massacre and another 250 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced consequences and a review. Of the 12 suspects, nine were immediately identified and released, he said Sunday. One employee was pronounced dead and the identities of the other two are currently being determined.
Accusations ‘shocking’
Austria is also one of the UNRWA donors. The allegations were “shocking,” the State Department said Friday in response to an APA request. “The United Nations must be above criticism, also in the interest of its own credibility. We therefore demand full transparency from the UN and a rapid, complete clarification of the allegations and the organization’s further actions.”
The Austrian contribution to UNRWA is divided into an annual contribution of approximately 400,000 euros and project-related contributions of three million euros per year for a health project.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
