UN to punish staffers concerned in ‘terror,’ urges UNRWA funding

United Nations Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres vowed on Sunday to carry to account “any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror” after allegations that some refugee company staffers had been concerned within the Oct. 7 Hamas assaults on Israel.

However Guterres implored governments to proceed supporting the U.N. refugee company for Palestinians (UNRWA) after 9 international locations paused funding.

“Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” the U.N. chief stated in an announcement. “The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation.”

On the similar time, he stated, “The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

In his first direct feedback on the difficulty, the U.N. chief gave particulars concerning the UNRWA staffers implicated within the “abhorrent alleged acts.” Of the 12 implicated, he stated, 9 had been terminated, one was confirmed useless and the identities of the opposite two had been being clarified.

Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland on Saturday joined the USA, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the help company, a essential supply of help for folks in Gaza, after the allegations by Israel.

“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” Guterres stated.

Adopting a sharper tone, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini stated, “It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an Agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region. ”

In an announcement he urged international locations to rethink funding suspensions. “The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support and so does regional stability,” Lazzarini stated.