Russia’s Nebenzia proposes to reconsider Western donors’ decision to suspend aid to UNRWA funding
Russia is campaigning to reconsider the decision of certain Western donors to suspend funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), condemning the efforts to smear the organisation – as stated by Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, TASS reports
During a speech at a meeting of the UN Security Council, Nebenzia addressed those present, “In these catastrophic circumstances, the decision of a number of Western donors to suspend funding to UNRWA due to suspicions of involvement of its workers in collaboration with [Palestinian movement] Hamas, who were immediately dismissed before any investigation was carried out, only on the basis of accusations by Israel, is causing outrage and misunderstanding. We call for its revision.”
He also commented on how he feels about the politicisation of humanitarian issues.
“The absentee punishment of millions of Palestinians in need of help is simply immoral and cannot be viewed other than a manifestation of donor blackmail and the politicisation of humanitarian issues. After all, in reality, this means worsening the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, including due to interruptions in the provision of humanitarian aid, educational and social services, healthcare for approximately 6 million Palestinians throughout the OPT [Occupied Palestinian Territories], as well as in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. In this regard, we condemn attempts to discredit the agency by attaching political labels to its activities,” the diplomat is convinced.
