Guterres: UN should penalize employees engaged in “terror,” calls for financing for UNRWA

In response to claims that certain employees of the refugee agency took part in the October 7 Hamas strikes on Israel, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged on Sunday to hold “any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror” accountable.

However, after nine nations stopped funding the United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), Guterres pleaded with governments to keep on supporting the organisation.

The U.N. head issued a statement saying, “Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” “The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation.”

Simultaneously, he declared, “It is not right to penalise the tens of thousands of men and women who serve for UNRWA, many of whom are in some of the riskiest conditions for humanitarian workers. They must provide for the extreme demands of the impoverished populations they serve.”

In his initial candid remarks regarding the matter, the U.N. chief provided information regarding the UNRWA employees who were accused of the “abhorrent alleged acts.” He stated that out of the twelve people involved, nine had been fired, one had been declared deceased, and the names of the other two were still being investigated.

Following Israel’s accusations, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland joined the US, Australia, and Canada in halting money to the relief organisation, which is a vital source of support for those living in Gaza.

“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” said Guterres.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini struck a more critical note when he declared, “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 asked nations to reevaluate funding suspensions in a statement. “The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support and so does regional stability,” Lazzarini stated.