Geneva: An independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna found that Israel has not provided any evidence to support its allegations that staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were linked to “terrorist” groups. These allegations had led to significant funding cuts from several donor countries.
The review was initiated after Israel accused UNRWA employees of participating in or supporting the October 7 attack on Israel. According to a dossier released by Israeli intelligence, UNRWA’s facilities were allegedly used by Hamas during the attack, and the agency’s staff provided logistical support. However, the Colonna report highlights that no substantial evidence was presented to back these claims.
In detail, the report underscores that despite the serious nature of the allegations, the Israeli government has not cooperated with UNRWA’s requests for evidence that could substantiate the claims or aid in an internal investigation. This lack of cooperation extends back to 2011, marking a significant gap in communication regarding the vetting processes of UNRWA staff.
The findings of the report have led some donor countries, initially swayed by the Israeli claims, to resume their funding to UNRWA, recognizing the lack of evidence supporting the allegations. Major donors like the United States and some European countries, however, have opted to maintain their suspension of funds pending further investigations.
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