UN Employee Resigns Amid Allegations He Was Elected to Hamas Leadership

"Suhail al-Hindi, an United Nations Relief Works Agency employee who was allegedly elected to the Hamas leadership, resigned from his position at the UN body, the Palestinian news site al-Rishalah reported on Saturday.

UNRWA Spokesman Chris Gunness confirmed Hindi is no longer employed by UNRWA. 'I can confirm that Mr. al-Hindi is no longer working for UNRWA. It is not the policy of the Agency to discuss the terms of departure of individual staff members,' Gunness said in an email statement.

UNRWA suspended Hindi in February, pending an investigation into the allegations against him.

Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, which is responsible for coordinating civil, economic, and security affairs in the Palestinian territories, accused Hindi of being elected to the Hamas leadership in February.

'The name Suheil Ahmad Hassan al-Hindi has emerged as one of those selected for membership in the Hamas politburo,' COGAT said in a report published on its website...

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon welcomed Hindi's resignation.

'It is time to finally put an end to the absurd situation in which UN employees, who are supposed to focus on humanitarian aid, abuse their positions and work simultaneously with terrorist organizations who call for the destruction of Israel,' Danon said in a statement..."