Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Belgium backs UNRWA following an independent report disputing Israel’s claims of UNRWA staff involvement in a Hamas attack. Belgium urges donors to resume funding. Israel rejects the report, alleging Hamas infiltration.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and other members of his governance called on foreign nations that had cut their grant to the United Nations Refugee Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) to continue their financial support as soon as possible.
According to The Brussels Times, Belgium welcomed the conclusions of the independent report which states that Israel is “yet to provide evidence” to back its allegations that UNRWA staff partook in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The UN agency delivers vital support to thousands of Palestinian refugees meeting an “unprecedented” humanitarian crisis following the Israel – Hamas war.
The Independent Review Group was guided by Catherine Colonna, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, who performed with three research and human rights associations from Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
The Israeli allegation caused many of UNRWA’s key donors, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, to cease their funding before the findings could be proved.
What Did the Independent Review Group Conclude?
“The report confirms that UNRWA has established – over many years – policies, mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the principle of neutrality,” stated Phillipe Lazzarini, UNRWA Secretary-General in a statement. “The report confirms that the Agency has systems to address allegations of neutrality breaches, including through disciplinary sanctions.”
How is Belgium Urging Donor Nations?
Belgian ministers greeted the report but urged partners to resume their funding for the refugee agency. The report “says that Israel has not provided any evidence to back the claims that employees acted as Hamas terrorists on 7 October,” stated Prime Minister De Croo on social media. “Belgium has preserved its funding and calls on other governments to resume their support to help Palestinians in need.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib reflected on these words: “We were right to maintain our support for UNWRA”, she said, also in a post on social media. “The Colonna report gives a positive assessment of the organisation’s neutrality and reinforces our decision a little more.” “The report is clear: UNRWA is “irreplaceable and indispensable” for the Palestinians,” she added.
Development Minister Caroline Gennez consented, saying “UNRWA has always acted appropriately, I call on all donors to resume their support. Now.”
Does Israel Reject the Report’s Findings?
In reaction, the Israeli Foreign Ministry rejected the report saying that Hamas’ infiltration in UNRWA is so deep “it is impossible to say where UNRWA ends and Hamas begins.”
UNRWA functions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, delivering quality services in education, health care, relief and social services, defence, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance.
The work of the independent review group was performed in parallel with the UN’s internal investigation into the allegations regarding the involvement of UNRWA employees in Gaza in the 7 October attacks against Israel. The investigation is continuing and being undertaken by the UN Office for Internal Oversight Services, the highest investigative body of the United Nations.
