The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has taken decisive action, firing several staff members after Israeli authorities presented evidence linking them to the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7. Of the 12 staffers accused, two have already perished, and the UN is now under intense scrutiny as it confronts the infiltration of its ranks by terrorist elements.
Mounting International Pressure Forces UN Action
“Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable,” Lazzarini asserted.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UNRWA, emphasized the UN’s commitment to holding any staff member involved in terrorism accountable, including through criminal prosecution. “Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable,” Lazzarini asserted, as the agency grapples with the fallout from the attacks and its tarnished reputation.
The UN’s reliance on American funding—$422 million from the U.S. alone in 2023—has made this situation particularly precarious. The U.S., alongside the U.K., Canada, and 13 other nations, halted funding to UNRWA pending the results of a thorough investigation conducted by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The American funding freeze, in particular, likely spurred the UN to take these accusations seriously.
A Flawed Investigation?
The OIOS investigation, which lasted several months, sought to uncover the extent of terrorist influence within UNRWA. According to the report, investigators analyzed email records, vehicle information, and data from other sources, collaborating with several member states. Despite Israeli intelligence playing a critical role, UN spokesman Farhan Haq noted that “since information used by Israeli officials to support the allegations have remained in Israeli custody, OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it.”
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan lambasted the report, declaring, “The UN investigation, which focused exclusively on 19 UNRA workers, is a disgrace! Too little and too late.
Even so, the findings have sparked outrage. Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan lambasted the report, declaring, “The UN investigation, which focused exclusively on 19 UNRA workers, is a disgrace! Too little and too late. The investigation ignored the thousands of agency employees involved in the terrorist activities of Hamas, and the scope of the involvement.” His call for swift action against UNRWA resonates with growing international demands for accountability.
employee terror ties
Staff Dismissals and Lingering Doubts
Despite the confidential nature of the OIOS report, Lazzarini revealed that nine out of the 19 accused staff members had insufficient evidence against them, leading to the closure of their investigations. However, he admitted that the remaining nine cases could indicate involvement in the October 7 attacks if the evidence is authenticated and corroborated. As a result, these individuals will no longer work for UNRWA.
In contrast, the dismissal of these staffers has not quelled the fury of UN critics. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) reiterated his stance, stating, “Not one additional dollar from the American taxpayer will go to this deeply flawed organization,” highlighting the legislative push to permanently defund UNRWA.
Renewed Calls for UNRWA’s Dissolution
The OIOS report comes in the wake of a separate review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, which emphasized the need for UNRWA to address “increased politicization among its staff, affecting its neutrality.” The review also raised alarms about the potential misuse of UNRWA facilities for political or military purposes.
Even as nations like Canada and Australia consider resuming funding based on the investigation’s findings, the U.S. remains on high alert. Renewed funding will require congressional approval, and Republicans in Congress, having already passed legislation to defund UNRWA, are unlikely to reverse course.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) voiced the sentiments of many when he tweeted, “The United Nations just ADMITTED that UNRWA employed the TERRORISTS who butchered and raped American and Israeli citizens on October 7th. Not one more penny of YOUR tax dollars should go to UNRWA.” Sen. Marsha Blackburn echoed this, insisting, “We should never give another penny to antisemitic, terrorist-supporting UNRWA.”
