UN Watch: UNRWA maintains close ties with Hamas leadership

A report prepared by UN Watch shows that the UN Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees not only maintains close ties to Palestinian terrorist organizations, but also allows the groups to influence their policies.

UN Watch cites numerous examples of agency representatives participating in Hamas events where speakers called for the destruction of Israel, and Hamas participation in agency organizational meetings where internal issues were discussed.

The report also reminds us that the head of UNRWA, Felipe Lazarini, promised to boycott Hamas after it became clear that the group’s leader in Lebanon, Fathi Sharif, was an employee of the organization. Under pressure from Hamas, he resumed meetings. Sharif was fired from the agency. He was subsequently eliminated by the IDF.

“UNRWA’s failure to maintain neutrality, coupled with its exposure to terrorist influence, undermines its credibility and contributes to the continuation of regional conflict. It is time for donors to reconsider their policies, defund the agency, dismantle UNRWA and create another mechanism to assist Palestinians in need,” the document says.