UN fires 9 UNRWA staff for possible involvement in Oct. 7 attack on Israel – National

UN fires 9 UNRWA staff for possible involvement in Oct. 7 attack on Israel – National

The U.N. says it has fired nine staff members from its agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack against Israel. The U.N, secretary-general’s office announced the move in a brief statement to journalists Monday. It did not elaborate on … Read more

Israeli tanks advance into Rafah’s centre despite global outcry

Israeli tanks advance into Rafah’s centre despite global outcry

CAIRO: Israeli tanks advanced to the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city that has stirred global condemnation for its continued civilian toll. Tanks and armoured vehicles mounted with machineguns were spotted near Al-Awda mosque, a central Rafah landmark, the … Read more

Human Rights Groups Blast Biden Over Palestine Aid

Human Rights Groups Blast Biden Over Palestine Aid

More than 100 immigrant, refugee, human rights and humanitarian organizations sent a letter Monday demanding Congress and President Joe Biden reinstate funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The letter, first seen by HuffPost, was addressed to President Biden, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) a week … Read more

Israel did not express concerns about UNRWA staff before attack: report – National

Israel did not express concerns about UNRWA staff before attack: report – National

An independent review conducted for the United Nations into the neutrality of its agency helping Palestinian refugees found that Israel never expressed concern about anyone on the staff lists it has received annually since 2011. The review was carried out after Israel alleged that a dozen employees of the agency known as UNRWA had participated … Read more

Democrat Seeking To Extend Ban On U.N. Aid To Palestinians

Democrat Seeking To Extend Ban On U.N. Aid To Palestinians

One of the most aggressively pro-Israel Democrats in Congress is quietly trying to extend a yearlong ban on U.S. funding for the United Nations agency helping Palestinians ― circulating a message telling fellow members of Congress that they “have a shared responsibility to ensure that U.S. humanitarian assistance is used to foster an open and … Read more

Lawmakers Want To Prohibit Funding UNRWA In Budget Proposal

Lawmakers Want To Prohibit Funding UNRWA In Budget Proposal

Lawmakers have introduced a spending package that would prohibit funding the United Nations agency primarily responsible for supplying lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The provision, included in the $1.2 trillion bipartisan budget plan proposed Thursday in an effort to avoid a partial U.S. government shutdown, comes as Palestinians face a starvation crisis because of … Read more

Canada resumes UNRWA funding paused after alleged staff role in Israel attacks – National

Canada resumes UNRWA funding paused after alleged staff role in Israel attacks – National

Canada has resumed funding of the United Nations agency charged with delivering aid to Palestinians after issuing a temporary pause in January following allegations that staff members may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said in a press release Friday that the UN has implemented several … Read more

Senate Border Bill Targets Humanitarian Aid For Palestinians

Senate Border Bill Targets Humanitarian Aid For Palestinians

New Senate legislation supported by President Joe Biden and many Democratic and Republican senators includes a significant blow to humanitarian aid for Palestinians — fulfilling a long-standing GOP goal while making it harder to address the deepening crisis in Gaza. The bipartisan legislation unveiled Sunday night and promptly endorsed by Biden is primarily focused on … Read more

UN Palestinian Aid Agency May Shut Down In February If Funding Doesn’t Resume

UN Palestinian Aid Agency May Shut Down In February If Funding Doesn’t Resume

Several major donor countries to UNRWA said they would suspend funding (Representational) Jerusalem: The UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that international funding cuts may force the shutdown of its operations across the region “by the end of February”. Several major donor countries to UNRWA said they would suspend funding after Israel alleged … Read more

How much has Canada given to UNRWA? A look at the funding in recent years – National

How much has Canada given to UNRWA? A look at the funding in recent years – National

More than a dozen countries, including Canada, have pressed pause on their funding to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) in the wake of allegations that some of its staff members were involved in the attacks on Israel last October. More than the 60 per cent of UNRWA’s budget in 2022 was filled by … Read more