BRUSSELS: The European Union’s humanitarian chief on Tuesday urged international donors to fund the UN agency for Palestinians after a review said Israel had not yet provided evidence that hundreds of the agency staff were members of terrorist groups.
EU chief, Janez Lenarcic, has pleaded with international donors to continue supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.
The review, spearheaded by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, released its findings on Monday, reporting the absence of substantiated evidence from Israel regarding allegations that hundreds of UNRWA staff were affiliated with terrorist groups.
Lenarcic welcomed the report, highlighting its acknowledgment of the significant compliance measures already in place within UNRWA and advocating for further enhancements. “I call on the donors to support UNRWA – the Palestinian refugees’ lifeline,” he emphasized.
Following accusations made by Israel earlier this year, which prompted the suspension of approximately $450 million in funding from several donor states, the review was commissioned to assess UNRWA’s adherence to neutrality principles. While the investigation identified some “neutrality-related issues,” it underscored the lack of evidence supporting Israel’s claims of widespread terrorist involvement among UNRWA personnel.
Despite these allegations, several donor states, including Sweden, Canada, Japan, the EU, and France, have resumed their financial support for UNRWA. However, notable absences such as the United States and Britain continue to withhold funding.
The United States, in particular, enacted legislation blocking funding to UNRWA until March 2025, amplifying the strain on the agency’s resources amidst escalating humanitarian crises.
Meanwhile, amid the funding uncertainties, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where prolonged Israeli military operations have exacerbated the plight of its 2.3 million Palestinians, leaving them in urgent need of essential supplies and services.
Established in 1950, UNRWA has been instrumental in providing vital services to nearly six million Palestinians across various territories, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
