UNRWA investigation:

No evidence of many terror supporters

Entrance area of an UNRWA facility in the Gaza Strip

(Bild: APA/AFP)

The Israeli government accuses the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) of having hundreds of supporters of terrorist groups in its ranks. These are also said to have helped intensively in the abduction of Israeli hostages. However, an investigation led by France's former foreign minister Catherine Colonna has found no evidence for these allegations.

Israel has provided no evidence for the claim that a "significant number" of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. The report also states that UNRWA pursues a "more pronounced approach" to neutrality than similar UN or aid organizations. In addition, there are solid framework conditions to ensure compliance with the principles of humanitarian neutrality.

"But there are also problems"
However, there are also problems. These include public expressions of political views by some UNRWA employees, the use of textbooks with problematic content in some UNRWA schools and threats from UNRWA trade unions against the organization's management. The neutrality of the aid organization in the Gaza Strip is also made more difficult by the size of the aid project, as most employees are recruited locally and also receive UNRWA benefits.

Footage from a surveillance camera shows the abduction of an Israeli.

(Bild: APA/AFP/ANONYMOUS)

Guterres calls for active support for UNRWA
Israel had already claimed in February that twelve UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks on Israel on October 7. A UN investigation into this is still ongoing. Following the allegations, numerous countries - including Austria - interrupted or suspended payments worth millions to UNRWA. This has severely affected the aid organization, which is also fighting the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all countries to continue to actively support the aid organization. It is vital for the refugees.

Some states have since resumed suspended payments to UNRWA. However, they are calling for, among other things, stronger checks and monitoring of staff. The report recommends that such procedures be introduced on a permanent basis, especially for the promotion of staff.