UNRWA Neutrality Review: Robust Framework but Issues Persist
A United Nations review of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has found that it has robust frameworks to ensure compliance with humanitarian neutrality principles. However, the report also noted that issues persist, including some staff publicly expressing political views, textbooks with problematic content being used in some UNRWA schools, and politicized staff unions making threats against UNRWA management and disrupting operations.
The review was conducted by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna and was prompted by allegations from Israel that a significant number of UNRWA staff were members of terrorist organizations. Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence for these claims.
Following the Israeli allegations, several countries paused or suspended funding to UNRWA. The report has prompted some of these donors to review their funding decisions.
The report recommended establishing a continuous vetting process, especially in the event of staff promotion. It also called UNRWA “irreplaceable and indispensable to Palestinians’ human and economic development.”
Additional Findings
– UNRWA shares staff lists annually with Lebanon, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and Israel.
– UNRWA has a more developed approach to neutrality than other similar UN or aid groups.
– In Gaza, UNRWA’s neutrality challenges include the size of the operation and the fact that most personnel are locally recruited and are also recipients of UNRWA services.
Implications
The report is likely to have significant implications for UNRWA’s operations. It could prompt some donors to resume or increase funding, while others may continue to withhold or reduce their contributions.
The report also highlights the challenges faced by UNRWA in maintaining its neutrality in a highly politicized environment. The agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees could be compromised if it is perceived as being biased.
