'UNRWA can be neutral': Report pushes back at Israel's terror allegations

• Published date: 20 March 2024
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The review found that "UNRWA has in place a significant number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the Humanitarian Principle of neutrality," the United Nations said Wednesday in a press release

UNRWA "has also identified critical areas that still need to be addressed," the report said.

The independent investigation is being led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna. She is conducting the review together with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

It is one of two investigations into UNRWA following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and an estimated 253 were taken hostage.

UNRWA staff members involved in October 7 massacre

Israel has charged that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the attack and has published videos showing the actions of some of those employees on that day.

Israel has further alleged that at least 190 of the UNRWA staff have connections to Hamas.

This comes on top of allegations before October 7 regarding incitement and antisemitism in textbooks used in UNRWA schools.

"The independent review group [is assessing whether] UNRWA is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of...