Brussels 28.01.2024 “We are extremely concerned by allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7th October terrorist attacks in Israel” reads the Statement by the Commission and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7th October attacks. (Image above: UN building, NYC)

“The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the attacks by the Hamas terrorists against Israel, which have no justification.
“UNRWA has been playing a vital role over many years supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees in accessing vital services such as education and health, and is a crucial partner of the international community, including the EU.
“We are in contact with UNRWA, expect it to provide full transparency on the allegations and to take immediate measures against staff involved. The Commission will assess further steps and draw lessons based on the result of the full and comprehensive investigation”.
UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, provides various services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
UNRWA has provided aid and used its facilities to shelter people fleeing bombardment and a ground offensive launched by Israel in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by Hamas terrorist organization, in which 1,200 Israel citizens were killed and 253 taken hostage. Among victims of the attacks were also the EU citizens.

Following the news from Israel on UNRWA members involvement into Hamas attacks the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Assita Kanko (Beglium) expressed a critical opinion of the EU Belgium presidency position:
“Lack of common sense. Belgian development minister Caroline Gennez wants to continue funding Hamas through UNRWA. She is so blinded by electoral considerations that she has lost all critical faculties. 7 countries have already suspended funding by UNRWA including Italy, Finland and the Netherlands. The least Belgium can do is stop immediately with funding and urge the entire European Union, which it currently holds the presidency, to suspend funding to UNRWA as well pending a thorough investigation.

“Besides the Belgian presidency is supposed to be neutral because it chairs the EU for the coming six months. The EU should have a common position. Given the seriousness of the accusations, it should at least be possible to suspend the funding. After all, we are talking about European peoples’ money. How can we have so little respect for taxpayers’ money and for our European values?

“Taxpayers’ money must be respected. Don’t waste it and especially don’t use it to fund terrorism. Is that too much to ask?”