Borrell: UNRWA funding cut is 'collective punishment’
World
According to the EU diplomatic chief, it is necessary to investigate allegations that UNRWA employees are linked to Hamas, but not to stop supporting the UN agency.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a crucial lifeline for millions of Palestinians suffering from hunger and disease, and cutting off funding for the organisation would be tantamount to collective punishment. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made this statement on 4 February.
According to Borrell, the accusations against a number of UNRWA employees of involvement in the radical Islamist movement Hamas' attack on Israel are serious and none of the perpetrators should go unpunished. However, the top euro-diplomat noted, the organisation itself reacted immediately to the accusations and terminated contracts with the accused.
Nevertheless, the issue of continued funding of UNRWA by a number of donor countries remains open. This threatens the very existence of UNRWA, Borrel said, and refusing to fund the organisation would be, in his opinion, disproportionate and dangerous.
As the European diplomat noted, he hopes that the position of UN Secretary General António Guterres will contribute to the resolution of the crisis.
According to Borrell, the accusations against a number of UNRWA employees of involvement in the radical Islamist movement Hamas' attack on Israel are serious and none of the perpetrators should go unpunished. However, the top euro-diplomat noted, the organisation itself reacted immediately to the accusations and terminated contracts with the accused.
Nevertheless, the issue of continued funding of UNRWA by a number of donor countries remains open. This threatens the very existence of UNRWA, Borrel said, and refusing to fund the organisation would be, in his opinion, disproportionate and dangerous.
As the European diplomat noted, he hopes that the position of UN Secretary General António Guterres will contribute to the resolution of the crisis.
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