New reports claim UNRWA works with terrorists, teaches hate as agency hits back at critics
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been embroiled in controversy following allegations of ties to terrorist organizations, specifically Hamas, and their involvement in a terrorist attack in Israel. The scandal-plagued agency is now facing new accusations of wrongdoing.
U.N. Watch, a Geneva-based NGO, has compiled a 150-page dossier that sheds light on “high-level UNRWA staff who are complicit with terrorists, who meet with them regularly,” according to Executive Director Hillel Neuer. Despite previous complaints from UNRWA staff about not being given the opportunity to review reports before publication, Neuer attempted to engage with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini to discuss the findings directly. However, when the dossier was released, Lazzarini would no longer be able to claim ignorance of the evidence.
Photographs included in the dossier show senior UNRWA staff, including Lazzarini and former UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl, meeting with individuals linked to terror organizations such as Hamas. Neuer highlighted two undated photos of Lazzarini meeting with groups that included members of the Jihadi Islamic Movement, the Islamic Ansar League, and Hamas. Another photo from late 2014 shows multiple UNRWA regional directors meeting with a senior Hamas member, Ali Baraka, to celebrate Hamas’ anniversary.
Furthermore, a transcript from a February 2017 meeting between Krahenbuhl and members of Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) revealed a concerning statement from Krahenbuhl expressing unity with the groups. Krahenbuhl, who was investigated for misconduct during his tenure at UNRWA, later assumed a position at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), prompting calls from congressional leaders to reconsider his appointment.
In addition to allegations of complicity with terrorists, UNRWA has come under fire for its educational materials promoting hate and violence. Interviews conducted with UNRWA students revealed disturbing sentiments, with one student advocating for the killing of Jews. IMPACT-se, another NGO, has reported on the presence of Hamas and PIJ members in high-ranking positions within UNRWA schools, raising concerns about the promotion of violence and terrorism in the curriculum.
Despite these allegations, UNRWA has pushed back against the accusations, labeling them as disinformation intended to undermine the agency. With support from countries like the U.S. on hold, UNRWA is facing increased scrutiny over its ties to terrorist organizations and the content of its educational materials. As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of UNRWA remains uncertain.
