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Check and consider additional funding for UNRWA, urges the EU group of MEPs

MEPs are demanding an audit of funding in connection with media information about Fatah Sharif, who worked in UNRWA and was also the leader of Hamas in Lebanon. Similarly, information about the possible involvement of several other agency workers in the attack on October 7, 2023 has already appeared.

“With regard to new information, it is necessary to consider whether this financing is still justified. The European Union cannot tolerate that its financial resources are misused to support terrorism,” said Zdechovský.

In a letter addressed to Borrell, he reminded that the Union contributed 16 million euros (406 million crowns) to the activities of UNRWA this year alone and provided tens of millions more for health care and education of Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA lays off nine employees. They may have participated in the attack on Israel, the UN said

Near and Middle East

According to the signatories of the letter, the Union should check the use of financial resources and should ensure that the funds intended for humanitarian aid are used effectively and at the same time “without the risk of misuse by terrorist groups”.

In this context, the MEPs suggested whether it would not be appropriate to consider additional funding for UNRWA and redirect the funds to EU institutions such as the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), which is able to provide humanitarian aid under EU control.

The letter was co-signed by MEPs from five factions, including several Czech representatives.

Israel claims that UNRWA employs hundreds of members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad

Near and Middle East