Israel: UNRWA Report Whitewashes Hamas Attacks on Israel and Abuse of Own People

On November 2, 2016, Israel objected to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)'s annual report for being one-sided against Israel and for failing to acknowledge the terror organization Hamas's responsibility for the situation in Gaza. Israel's comments were made during a meeting of the General Assembly's Fourth Committee (a committee of the whole comprised of all 193 UN member states) to consider the report.

In Israel's words:

"Hamas plays a destructive role in Gaza. Yet, this internationally designated terror organization which controls the Gaza Strip, is mentioned only once in UNRWA's report... Even in the numerous cases when Hamas endangered the lives of Palestinian civilians, and committed war crimes by using civilian areas to target Israeli citizens, among them UNRWA schools, public reports and statements issued by UNRWA avoided mentioning Hamas by name. It seems that while they are quick to condemn Israel, when it comes to reporting about Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, UNRWA's employees demonstrate significant reluctance... Hamas, an extremist terror organization that viciously controls the Gaza Strip, bears responsibility to the situation on the ground, a fact which should be reflected in the report."

Israel also noted that UNRWA plays a biased role in promoting the Palestinian narrative despite political advocacy being outside its mandate of providing humanitarian assistance.

In its words:

"Promotion of a one-sided narrative and fueling of false promises is unfortunately taking place within UNRWA's educational system... Israel is extremely concerned by UNRWA's illegitimate political advocacy, especially UNRWA's one-sided and provocative statements issued by its spokesperson. In recent years UNRWA invested extensive resources in advocacy at the expense of the well-being of its beneficiaries, while seeking to serve the Palestinian narrative and political agenda... In light of the actual needs of the refugees, it is troubling that UNRWA continues to channel a significant portion of its budget to political campaigns at the expense of humanitarian assistance..."