In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration condemned the “systematic campaign of incitement” against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Israel’s offensive started during the genocidal war against our people in the Gaza Strip, the Ministry said.

In the last few hours, some ten countries, including Australia, Germany, the United States and Canada, temporarily suspended their aid to the UNRWA after Israel accused several of its workers of taking part in the operation carried out by Hamas on October 7.

The Foreign Ministry expressed surprise at the measures adopted by those governments before the conclusion of the UN investigation, and urged them to rescind them immediately.

Israel’s accusations, if proven, should not affect the UNRWA’s work, as such actions do not reflect its policies nor the guidelines and instructions from its officials, the institution stressed.

Hussein al-Sheikh, general secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, issued a similar statement.

We call on the countries that have announced the suspension of their support for the UNRWA to reverse their decision immediately to lead to political and humanitarian risks, he noted.

jg/iff/mem/rob