Israel’s foreign minister, Gidon Sa’ar, sharply criticized the United Nations as its court convened to discuss Israel’s legal responsibilities in Gaza. Sa’ar denounced the U.N. as a “rotten, anti-Israel, and antisemitic body” that should stand trial for allegedly covering up terror affiliates within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He accused the U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, of personal responsibility and of ignoring Israel’s warnings about UNRWA employees involved in terrorism. Sa’ar also revealed evidence implicating 25% of UNRWA staff in terrorist activity before October 7, 2023, and claimed that UNRWA acts as a proxy for Hamas.
Responding to Sa’ar’s allegations, Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, dismissed the claims and defended UNRWA’s actions, stating that the Secretary-General had addressed the Israeli accusations swiftly and effectively.
The controversy comes amid reports that the U.S. Justice Department has decided UNRWA is not entitled to diplomatic immunity in the U.S., following a lawsuit filed in June 2024 by victims of the October 7 attacks seeking $1 billion in damages from UNRWA. This decision reverses a previous Biden administration stance.
The U.N. Legal Counsel, Elinor Hammarskjöld, raised concerns about Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its implications for humanitarian aid delivery, emphasizing the need for impartial humanitarian organizations in Gaza amidst shortages of essential goods due to Israel’s blockade.
The Israeli government has also accused UNRWA of violating principles of neutrality and impartiality by allowing terrorists to use its facilities and by having staff assist or ignore terrorists seeking refuge at these sites.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/israeli-foreign-minister-slams-un-calls-rotten-anti-israel-antisemitic-body
