The UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini appeared to suggest that a dozen staff members accused of participating in the bloodiest attack on Jews since the Holocaust hadn’t reached a threshold that would make it a big deal.
“Nine countries have as of today temporarily suspended their funding to UNRWA,” Lazzarini stated. “These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region, including and especially in the Gaza Strip.”
Lazzarini said it is “shocking” to see nations suspend funding “in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation.”
“It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region,” he added.