The United Nations defended its appeal for countries to continue funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) despite criticism from the United States that the agency has been infiltrated by Hamas.
Speaking at UNRWA's annual pledging conference in July, U.S. Ambassador Jeff Bartos accused member states of repeating a failed approach and said the agency had become a "subsidiary of Hamas." He urged governments to stop funding UNRWA schools in Gaza, which he accused of indoctrinating children in hatred of Jews and glorifying terrorism.
Bartos also cited allegations that UNRWA employees participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel. He urged countries to redirect their funding to the Board of Peace, a U.S.-led body created to oversee transitional governance, reconstruction, and long-term development in Gaza.
U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric defended the agency's record and mandate, saying that UNRWA officials had taken "strong action" when presented with facts concerning possible infiltration by people aligned with terrorist organizations.
Dujarric argued that UNRWA operates under a mandate given to it by the General Assembly and has a very important role to play on the humanitarian front. He noted that the Security Council resolution supporting the Board of Peace also calls on the United Nations to deliver humanitarian assistance and lead humanitarian activities in Gaza.
Several European governments expressed support for UNRWA, with the United Kingdom pledging £23 million in support for the agency. British Ambassador James Kariuki called UNRWA "indispensable" to providing essential services to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
France also reiterated its full support for UNRWA, saying that the agency continues to provide indispensable assistance despite growing obstacles. France said it had provided €123 million to UNRWA since 2023 and would announce its 2026 contribution soon.
UNRWA's acting chief, Christian Saunders, said during the same debate that the agency must do more to promote livelihoods and economic opportunities so Palestinians can "live full and meaningful lives while waiting for a political solution."
The funding dispute comes as UN Watch is demanding that U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres waive any immunity enjoyed by former Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini so national authorities can investigate allegations that he ignored repeated warnings about Hamas infiltration.
UN Watch claimed that it had provided Lazzarini and his administration with evidence involving teachers, school principals, union leaders, and other employees who allegedly supported or were affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups.
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, said that waiving Lazzarini's immunity would not amount to a finding of guilt but would allow prosecutors to test the evidence. He urged Guterres to consider waiving Lazzarini's immunity to allow an investigation into the allegations.
A spokesperson for the U.N. said that as far as they knew, UN Watch is not a judicial authority, and the U.N. has always cooperated with investigations by national authorities.
