UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. A recent report from UN Watch describes their mandate as “dedicated to maintaining the refugee status of its 5.9 million constituents until there is a just and lasting solution to their plight.”
The agency employs 30,000 people, 20,000 of which work in education. Hillel Neuer is a Canadian human rights lawyer who serves as executive director an agency called UN Watch. Neuer recently discovered a 3,000 member UNRWA Telegram group. In a report published to their website, UN Watch profiles 30 staff members who view the October 7 attacks, and Hamas in a positive light, as well as encourage the killing of Jews. The profiles begin on page 7, and are meticulously researched right down to the post’s time stamp.
Additionally, there are allegations that up to 12 employees were directly involved with October 7 attacks. That appeared to be enough for nine countries to stop funding the agency, including Canada who had given approximately $48 million before they paused it late last month. CBC reported Israel hasn’t shared evidence to prove that claim. However, Reuters reports February 11 that a Hamas command tunnel underneath the UN Gaza Headquarters. It logically follows that at least one person probably knew about it.
There are currently two petitions before Parliament with demands to reinstate funding. The first is from Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice, calling for the reinstatement of funding, and urging allies to do the same. The second brought by Edmonton Strathcona NDP MP Heather McPherson focuses on solely Canada’s funding.
These developments with UNWRA should trigger a discussion over the organization’s future. If it should continue, and in what form. If it can’t continue, then how can the functions performed by the agency continue? The idea that aid workers may have been involved with the attacks that started a war is disturbing, and warrants an investigation by a neutral party at minimum.
Hillel Neuer has his own petition calling for UNWRA’s dissolution, and discussion on its replacement. Click here for more information.
Supplemental Reading: UN Watch’s entire report on UNWRA