(Brussels) The European Union on Monday called for an audit into the functioning of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), after accusations of the possible involvement of some of its employees in the October 7 attack. in Israel.
“We are asking them (UNRWA) to agree to an audit being carried out by independent experts, chosen by the European Commission,” said its spokesperson Eric Mamer.
The Commission also clarified that it would decide whether or not to suspend its funding to UNRWA, depending on the results of the investigation opened by the UN. She added that no payments were expected until the end of February.
“The Commission will examine this subject in light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and the actions it will take,” she said in a press release.
“It is absolutely normal that we demand that these allegations be clarified and investigated when we are one of the main donors” of humanitarian and development aid to the Palestinians, Mr. Mamer added.
Australia and Canada announced this weekend the suspension of their funding to UNRWA, after accusations by Israeli authorities that employees may have been involved in the Hamas attack on October 7. Other countries have since done the same.
The United States announced on Friday “temporarily suspending” all future funding for the UN agency at the heart of the distribution of aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip and under the fire of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement.
The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures.
In response, Israel vowed to “annihilate” Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, and launched a vast military operation that left 26,422 people dead, the vast majority of them women, children and adolescents, according to the ministry’s latest report. of the Health of the Islamist movement.
Several countries suspend aid
Ten countries have so far suspended all future funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Japan
Japan, “extremely concerned”, has decided to “suspend any additional funding to UNRWA for the moment”, while the agency “conducts an investigation” and “considers measures to respond to the accusations”, indicated on Sunday the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tokyo specifies that “it will continue its diplomatic efforts to improve the situation by providing support to other international organizations”.
UNITED STATES
“The United States is extremely concerned by accusations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
While recalling the “essential role” of UNRWA in helping the Palestinians, the State Department insists on the importance that this UN agency “respond to these accusations and take any appropriate corrective action”.
Canada
Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced Friday that “Canada has temporarily suspended all additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these accusations.”
“Canada takes these accusations extremely seriously and is closely involved with UNRWA and other donors on this issue,” he added, also stipulating that Ottawa remained “deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “.
Australia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Saturday she was “deeply concerned” by the accusations against the UN agency.
“We welcome UNRWA’s immediate response, including the termination of contracts (of staff members, editor’s note) as well as the announcement of an investigation into the accusations against the organization,” she added. noting the impact of the agency’s “vital work” for Gaza residents and “the more than 1.4 million Palestinians currently sheltering in its facilities.”
Italy
“The Italian government suspended funding to UNRWA after the atrocious Hamas attack on Israel on October 7,” announced Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
“Anti-Semitism and Hamas are the new SS, the new Gestapo, because the hunt for the Jew was carried out in a scientific manner,” Mr. Tajani further commented on Saturday, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
United Kingdom
The UK “is appalled by accusations that UNRWA employees took part in the October 7 attack on Israel,” the Foreign Office wrote on Saturday.
“The UK is temporarily suspending all future funding to UNRWA while we review these worrying accusations,” he added.
Finland
Deeming the allegations against UNRWA employees “serious”, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Saturday for “an independent and thorough investigation”.
“We must ensure that not a single euro of Finnish money reaches Hamas or other terrorists. The suspicion that employees of an organization receiving humanitarian aid are involved in a terrorist attack is the reason for the suspension of payments,” commented Ville Tavio, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development.
The Netherlands
“We are extremely shocked,” Dutch Trade and Development Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen said on Saturday, announcing a freeze on all funding to UNRWA.
“The accusation is to say that the attack perpetrated on October 7 was committed with UN money, with our money,” he commented.
Germany
“As long as this is not clarified, Germany, in agreement with the other donor countries, will not temporarily give its approval for new resources for UNRWA in Gaza,” the German foreign ministries announced on Saturday evening. and Development.
“At the moment, in any case, there were no pending commitments,” they clarified.
Austria
Pending “clarifications”, Austria decided on Monday to “temporarily suspend any new payments to UNRWA”, while continuing its humanitarian aid for the civilian population in Gaza and the region.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry called on Monday for “a complete, rapid and flawless investigation”.