Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Egypt Independent
Published on 2024-01-29 11:16:37
Funding for The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was frozen by Western countries, prompting the United Nations to call for a reconsideration of the decision. The Arab League accused Israel of incitement against the agency, with the goal of eliminating its role, while Egypt expressed its support for the UNRWA.
Germany, Scotland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France, as well as Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy, Britain, and the US, all decided to cut their funding to the UNRWA following allegations made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the agency’s employees were involved in the al-Aqsa Flood operation. The agency responded by dismissing nine employees.
In response to the funding freeze, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, urged donor countries to ensure that UNRWA operations in Gaza continued. The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, emphasized the severe suffering and deprivation experienced by the people of Gaza and urged against depriving them of aid.
The Commissioner-General of the UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, described the cessation of funding in Gaza as “shocking.” Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, accused the countries that suspended their funding of participating in “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the UNRWA during a phone call with Philippe Lazzarini. Shoukry praised the agency’s role in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees in accordance with its UN mandate and its efforts in offering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. He also condemned attempts to target the UNRWA, stating that they worsen the impact of Israel’s siege, starvation, and collective punishment on Gaza.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, added that Israel’s incitement campaign is aimed at completely eliminating the UNRWA’s role, especially after its headquarters were attacked and its employees targeted in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
