The Biden administration is moving to temporarily cut off “additional funding” to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
In a statement on Friday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller noted allegations that 12 UNRWA employees participated in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel.
“The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them,” Miller said.
Check out the full statement below:
Citing allegations that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct 7 attack on Israel, the Biden admin temporarily paused additional funding while the US reviews the claims & UN response. The US is UNRWA's largest aid provider & State says it provides "lifesaving assistance." pic.twitter.com/xlupa5VIS4
— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) January 26, 2024
Miller added UNRWA “plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian supporter. Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures.”
The statement comes after the United Nations (UN) said it was investigation the allegations regarding UNRWA employees.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General said in a statement, “The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7.”
“To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay,” he added.
Breaking, from UNRWA:
— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) January 26, 2024
“The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October.
“To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the…
Reuters notes, “Lazzarini did not disclose the number of employees allegedly involved in the attacks, nor the nature of their alleged involvement. He said, however, that ‘any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror’ would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he “is horrified by this news.”
“An urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted,” they added.