GAZA, (PIC)
The UN envoy to Gaza called out the “double standards” of governments that have suspended funds from the world body’s agency for Palestinian refugees.
About 18 countries have suspended funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), even though an investigation has yet to be completed into an allegation that 12 former staff members (of about 30,000) took part in the October 7 events.
UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese said that while the governments have suspended aid, “the same governments have not suspended ties with the state whose army has killed 26,000 people in Gaza in 3.5 months, though the [International Court of Justice] said it may plausibly constitute genocide.”
She said: “Double standards? Yes, big time.”
UNRWA spokeswoman Tamara Alrifai earlier said that while the agency had sacked nine of the 12 accused employees, the move was made “pre-emptively” while investigations were under way.
She said that they now had “the right of recourse in case the findings are in their favor.”
Meanwhile, an array of UN organizations warned of the “catastrophic consequences for the people of Gaza” if key donor countries don’t resume funding for UNRWA.
