Cut off funds for the UN Palastine aid agency?
The US, Germany, France, the UK and other countries have suspended their funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) after Israel presented information according to which twelve employees of the aid organisation were allegedly involved in the 7 October attack by Islamist terrorist organisation Hamas. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has promised a thorough investigation.
Disband after the war
The Tagesspiegel points out that the potential freezing of funds comes years too late:
“The UN aid organisation has long since made itself an accomplice in the region — both to the Hamas terrorists and the corrupt autonomous authority in the West Bank. ... Rather than reform, it therefore makes much more sense to disband the organisation once the fighting ends and the years-long reconstruction of Gaza begins. ... Not only must Hamas be driven out, but there also needs to be an institution in Gaza that does all it can to care for the inhabitants without sowing more hatred and thus further harming all the people in the region. The UNRWA has demonstrated very clearly that it cannot do this.”
Don’t abandon those in need
The Irish Examiner commends Ireland for continuing to support the aid organisation:
“Evidence that some personnel are also participants in violence is hugely damaging. However, the balance of mercy — a quality for which there is an enormous need at present — dictates that a greater evil exists in turning off funding for people and organisations engaged in lifesaving work. And for that reason, Ireland — and Tánaiste Micheál Martin — are right to eschew the actions of others who have suspended or cancelled financial support for UNRWA. ... This is not the moment to be casting desperate refugees and victims of war even more adrift.”
Dispel all doubts quickly
ABC demands a clear and swift investigation:
“Given that the UN employs thousands of people, it is imperative that it clarifies the extent of Israel’s claim about UNRWA’s involvement in the Hamas terror attack. There must be no doubt that UN personnel are deployed exclusively for humanitarian aid and no other tasks. If any doubt remained, it would probably prompt many more countries cancel their funding for UNRWA until it has been established that its operations in Gaza are impeccable. That is why it is imperative that António Guterres speeds up the investigation.”
