Last week, the United Nations agency responsible for Gaza terminated 70 employees amid allegations of deep connections to Hamas terrorists in the enclave. Just 24 hours later, Canada's foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, announced an additional $100 million for Gaza and the West Bank, bringing the total to $500 million for Palestinians—funds critics say might as well have been earmarked for Hamas.
Funding Announcement Draws Criticism
In a statement, Anand said the new money would support the UN, Red Cross, Red Crescent, and NGOs in delivering assistance to Palestinians. However, the statement also noted the funding was “largely flexible and unearmarked,” meaning Canada has no controls over its use and thus no accountability. Critics argue this is an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars.
UNRWA's Troubling Report
The UN has faced recent scrutiny following a report alleging that staff of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) work for Hamas. Additionally, a UN special rapporteur claimed she was “bullied” by colleagues for trying to reveal the true scale and terror of the October 7 attacks.
On June 5, an investigation by USAID alleged that 101 current or former UNRWA members, including principals, teachers, security personnel, attendants, psychosocial counsellors, and medical professionals, took part in the October 7 massacre or were affiliated with the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing. One teacher had expertise as a sniper for Hamas, a math teacher was linked to the Qassam intelligence squad, and several other teachers were squad leaders for infantry battalions.
USAID's Priority vs. Canada's Approach
The USAID report noted its priority was to “ensure that U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance in Gaza does not fall into the hands of Hamas and other foreign terrorist organizations.” In contrast, Canada simply gives its money away without such safeguards.
Six days after the USAID report, UNRWA fired 70 staff members in Gaza with immediate effect. However, the agency's announcement was mired in confusion. “The dismissal of the staff is not part of a disciplinary process and does not constitute in any way a validation of the claims made against them,” it stated, leaving observers puzzled as to why they were fired if not for the allegations.
Reactions from Watchdog Groups
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, an organization that has reported on UNRWA's ties to Hamas, called the firings a “small beginning.” But he also highlighted the UN's “incoherent” position. “Firing people while refusing to acknowledge why reveals an institution still more interested in protecting itself and its Hamas-embedded workforce than in genuine neutrality or accountability.”
Meanwhile, a day before Anand's announcement, UN special rapporteur on torture Alice Edwards made extraordinary revelations about pressure from her colleagues to water down a letter detailing the October 7 massacre.
