On Monday 29 January, the European Commission called on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to agree to an audit of the checks it carries out to prevent possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities, following allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the 7 October attacks (see EUROPE 13337/16).
In a press release, the Commission announced that it expected “UNRWA to agree to carrying out an audit of the Agency to be conducted by EU appointed independent external experts, reviewing, thereby the pillar assessment, focusing specifically on the control systems needed to prevent the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities”. The European Commission “also expects a strengthening of UNRWA’s Department of Internal Investigations (DIOS) which is key in this regard”, the statement emphasised, adding that a review of all UNRWA staff should be launched “soonest” to confirm that they were not involved in the attacks.
More than 13,000 people work for UNRWA in Gaza, whose information is, according to the UN agency, shared every year, particularly with Israel. The UNRWA stated that it had never received any concerns about specific members of staff.
Speaking to the media, European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said that the “urgent and important” audit should be launched “without delay”.
Noting that no additional funding was planned for UNRWA before the end of February, the Commission announced that it would determine the agency’s next funding decisions in the light of the “very serious allegations” of 24 January. “The Commission will review the matter in light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and the actions it will take”, it added, welcoming the information provided by UNRWA and the launch of the UN investigation.
The Commission promised that humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank would continue “unabated, through partner organisations”. Several countries, including European ones such as Germany, Italy and Finland, have announced the suspension of their support for UNRWA. According to UNRWA, two million Gazans depend on it for their survival.
According to Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European External Action Service, the situation in the Middle East will be discussed by European foreign ministers on Saturday 3 February at their informal meeting (Gymnich) in Brussels. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)