By NMRN
The Daily Telegraph (Torygraph) today……front page headline “Yousaf in row over £250,000 Gaza cash”
The Torygraph states that he, Yousaf, has been ‘accused’ of a conflict of interest’ after supposedly ‘overriding’ official advice in giving this money. …..last year he ,according to them , was advised to give £100,000 to £200,000 to Unicef but instead he donated £250,000 to UNRWA …which they , the Torygraph, say was on the same day that he met UN Aid officials….and here is where the so called apparent ‘conflict of interest’ comes into play for the Torygraph and those who ‘accuse’ the FM……the following day his, FM, in laws left Gaza …… obviously the FM has denied this was the case ……indeed…..
The Scottish Government has said the money was allocated to UNRWA in response to a flash appeal for emergency aid as more than a million Palestinians in Gaza faced displacement amid the escalating conflict. a spokesperson for the Scottish government also stated that “UNRWA had no role in the situation regarding the First Minister’s extended family and any suggestion of a conflict of interest in this matter would be completely untrue, and simply a regurgitation of ludicrous far-right conspiracy theories to be found online,”
So……last night SKY News paper review….guess which paper and story was discussed first…..yep I do not even need to name it !….but will…the Daily Telegraph !
Then guess which paper BBC Scotland opted to promote today….yep right again….The Daily Telegraph !
Guess what is the third headline in BBC website Scotland page …well not as yet just this story but ….what they call….’Scotland’s papers ?????….and the Torygraph is one of the paper’s on display via this headline……….and then click on ‘Scotland’s papers’ and guess which paper has the TOP slot….yep you have guessed it……The Daily Telegraph !
Now the next one I will have to actually tell you who it is but with some clues….guess which Tory MSP (list one) formerly an MP but bumped by electorate and now apparently once again he is going to try (at the worst possible time for a Tory) to become a Tory MP once more in the next GE….this list Tory MSP has now jumped onto this #SNPBAD bandwagon (via his not guilty pleasure it seems)…yep Stephen ‘flying tooth’ Kerr…..STV news website reporting “Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who sits on Holyrood’s standards committee, said the First Minister had “some serious explaining to do” and “may very well have broken the (Scottish ministerial) code”……..colour me surprised Stephen Kerr shouting #SNPBAD…..not like him is it…snigger…..that’s his job ( real one it seems as it’s all he ever does….as another Tory branch office ‘deflection commando’….LOL)
Yep audacity on stilts in Kerr talking about the ‘breaking of the ministerial code’…..irony meter breaks !
The real breaking news here is…the BBC website Scottish page declaring The Daily Telegraph was a Scottish paper…..when did that happen……and also here was me thinking it was The Daily Telegraph that had an actual ‘Conflict of interest’ ( a bit like the BBC Scotland news and the Labour party) in their newspaper with their support for the Tory party…..meanwhile it is never actually ‘Breaking News’ when Tory MSP Stephen Kerr is moaning about the SNP being bad…..because that, as an occurrence, is as regular as night following day…..cannot emphasise that enough BTW !
Will this story on Humza Yousaf’s supposed ‘Conflict of Interest’ donation grow arms and legs in the media in Scotland (especially the BBC here) ….well you would tempted to respond by saying ‘Is the pope a Catholic’ ?
So is the news we get really ‘Breaking News’….or is it the media who are broken in what and how they choose to report the news within their UK and most especially in Scotland ?……no answer required by me on that one…for sure !
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Hi John I did add a correction to my original comment which is worth mentioning again on here.
*STV news website reporting “Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who sits on Holyrood’s standards committee, said the First Minister had “some serious explaining to do” and “may very well have broken the (Scottish ministerial) code”
It was actually on ITVX website today under the heading “Yousaf says conflict of interest suggestions over Gaza aid are ‘ludicrous’ ” … and NOT as I stated in above article on the STV news website via Stephen Kerr’s comments in relation to alleging the FM “may well have broken the Scottish ministerial code” ….but I am sure the same comments by Kerr will soon also appear on the STV News website (and other websites too) as Kerr loves publicity and Scottish media just loves any and all opposition parties #SNPBAD publicity so a win win for both of them (and others)…..and tis his, Kerr’s, seedy interpretation of events as the preferred kind of publicity that he always seeks (out) ……while ignoring HQ’s seedy manoeuvres…..aka Pot Kettle Black.
NMRN
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Article is now also on STV News website that include Stephen Kerr’s same comments as ITVX article re the FM….LOL
However STV News first mentioned this £250,000 donation to Gaza by FM on their website on the 2 November 2023 where they then stated :
“The First Minister has pledged a further £250,000 to aid displaced Palestinians access food, water and medical supplies.
It takes the Scottish Government’s total funding to assist the relief efforts to £750,000, benefiting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) flash appeal.
The fund specifically helps those in Gaza amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict, with more than 670,000 people understood to currently be seeking safety in UNWRA shelters in the region”.
They also noted in the article that:
“Marta Lorenzo, director of the UNRWA representative office for Europe, said: “Scotland is helping UNRWA provide shelter, food, medicines and water to entire families that had to flee their home”
““We are extremely grateful for the additional contribution from Scotland, demonstrating the increasingly strong support to UNRWA.”
NMRN
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Is that all. The EU is sending aid by sea to Gaza. To by-pass Israel.
The UK Gov wasting £Billions. Illegally selling redundant weapons to Saudi Arabia since the 1960’s. Bribing Saudi Prince
SaudiArabia giving monies back to unionist parties and royals. UK Gov taxpayers monies. A circle of corruption. Kept secret under the Official Secrets Act.
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Telegraph being sold off. Saudis trying to invest in the Telegraph. Not given consent. Barclay’s, non dom owners, trying to sell Telegraph off. They let Thatcher stay at the Ritz until she died.
Surviving Barclay contempt of court. Would not pay the divorce settlement. Family feud, spying on each other.
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From Al Jazeera, 17 February 2024:
(https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/17/which-countries-are-still-funding-unrwa )
‘Which countries are still funding UNRWA amid Israel’s war on Gaza? – Ireland is the latest to pledge funds for the stricken UN agency, the main source of humanitarian aid to Palestine.’ The article includes this:
‘… Leo Varadkar, summed up the feelings of his government towards Israel’s war on Gaza.
“It’s very, very clear to me … that Israel is not listening to any country in the world, I don’t even think they’re listening to the Americans anymore,” he told the Irish parliament on Tuesday. “They have become blinded by rage.”
‘Why does Ireland feel an affinity for the Palestinian people?
The historical Irish struggle to free itself from the yoke of British domination is one reason why many in the Republic of Ireland feel a strong affinity with Palestine, which, as Israel’s brutal war on Gaza illustrates, has suffered under Israeli occupation for generations.
‘The Irish Free State, which Northern Ireland opted not to join, was established in 1922 after several years of conflict between Irish nationalists and the British government, with the country officially becoming a republic 27 years later.
‘In 1980, Ireland became the first member of the European Community (now the EU) to endorse Palestinian statehood and the country’s support resonates to this day.
‘Indeed, in the early weeks of Israel’s continuing war on Gaza, when countries in the West were rushing to support Israel’s “right to self-defence” in the wake of the Hamas assault, Varadkar offered a more nuanced view.
“What I’m seeing unfolding at the moment isn’t just self-defence,” said the Irish prime minister in November last year. “It looks, resembles, something more approaching revenge. That’s not where we should be. And I don’t think that’s how Israel will guarantee future freedom and future security.”
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Indeed stewartb
However what we have in the UK ,via the media and politicians, is the (over) promotion of propaganda that those who are marching for the Palestine people in Gaza are then complicit in being a part of “hate marches”, that have made specific areas in the UK (England) “no go zones” and thus dangerous for Jewish people.
This is what has prompted Michael Gove to declare that protestors should not march with “extremists” as apparently a law change on ”Hate” marches looms ….though “Hate marches” is itself an extreme way to express a protest march against the killings of innocents in Gaza……indeed are these marchers not just marching to protest against the actions of the Israeli government and too the IDF and also the lack of real action via the UK government and other (pro) UK parties in condemning Israel and demanding an immediate ceasefire……but let’s not allow facts to get in the way of Tory & Labour and also UK media propaganda trying to distract the public away from Palestinian innocent people being murdered by Israel as part of their, UK establishment, desperate attempts to muddy the waters with focusing more attention upon what they, the UK establishment, refer to as “extremists” promoting hate against Jewish people in the UK ……however this new potential Tory ‘law change’ has morphed into and will encompass those “Extremists” who are seen to be “undermining British values” (as interpreted by Tories and others)……..Michael Gove plans to set out a new official definition of extremism that will be used by the government to cut ties or funding to any groups deemed to have “crossed the line”.
So what about the accusation via Tory Peer Baroness Warsi who accuses the Tory party of failing to address Islamophobia and who states they , the Tory party, have a problem within the party of islamophobia…..would that then be them, the Tory party, also having an “Extremist” attitude towards Muslims…..so yet another Pot Kettle Black via the Tory party…..and BTW this accusation via her, Baroness Warsi, has been ongoing for years against her own party…..but seems to have fallen on deaf ears and also the Forde report on the Labour party also found that they, Labour, “failed to tackle Islamophobia and racism in their party”…..indeed it was reported by Labour List online that ” the most chilling reflection of the Forde report: was that “the party was in effect operating a hierarchy of racism or discrimination with other forms of racism [namely Islamophobia] being ignored”. This in reality saw the “manipulation of process along factional lines, marginalisation of those with protected characteristics, opacity of procedures and a perceived hierarchy of engagement with different protected characteristics” treated differently under the rules”…….and where Labour List online also noted “Forde’s report concludes as articulately as I ever could, that “for a party which seeks to be a standard bearer of progressive politics, equality, and workers’ rights, this is an untenable situation. The party must live by its values and lead by example”.
The Forde Report was commissioned by Keir Starmer…..unfortunately for Starmer it also raised problems within the party that he did not want highlighted and Mr Forde in 2023 gave media interviews in which he has claimed “Labour under Sir Keir’s leadership has not engaged with him after he published the report to discuss his recommendations further”…..and.as a report it was largely ignored by the UK media too on much of it’s findings…..as for the media….the current leader Starmer was the wrong leader at the time to target and blame (as in not Corbyn) and also the wrong party (as in not the SNP)…..rinse and repeat as a situation within their UK (stitch up)…..
NMRN
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Countries including Belgium, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and, of course, Ireland, have decided to continue supporting the UNRWA. Sweden has just resumed funding as has Canada………so obviously Scottish Government and our First Minister on behalf of the people of Scotland are on the right side of history as opposed to Kerr and his Tory/Labour chums who are blatantly far right racists!!!
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Aye, and ” Yousaf condemns ‘outrageous smear’ over Gaza funding ” still gets top billing on BBC Scotland’s main and politics pages… https://archive.ph/82Mua with the intended message ” The Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who sits on Holyrood’s standards committee, had earlier claimed that the first minister “may very well have broken the (Scottish ministerial) code”. ” buried deep in the piece.
Reminiscent of Operation (Big blue tent) Branchform, where the Tory media were scrambling for anything which might smear the then FM ( including the infamous “digging up the garden” because someone shifted a spade from the garden shed ), and front and centre in this contrived hoo-hah is BBC Scotland feigning to report on matters of public concern in hopes it might cause public concern – It hasn’t.
What should be making the headlines is that the vast majority of the UK public disagree with the Tory and Labour stance over Gaza – That is what they dare not mention, joining an exceedingly long list of subjects ‘not for public discussion’.
We can but look forward to the day independent Scotland joins Ireland in enjoying intelligent journalism rather than relentless orchestrated propaganda.
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“Aye, and ” Yousaf condemns ‘outrageous smear’ over Gaza funding ” still gets top billing on BBC Scotland’s main and politics pages”
Saw that Bob…..
However also in that article they, the BBC, state that “Stephen Kerr had claimed to the Telegraph that the funding decision suggested the FM was “prepared to bend the rules“……..“claimed to the Telegraph” ?……so he, Kerr, was one of the ‘accusers’ that the Telegraph piece referred to……as to being “prepared to bend the rules”…..well didn’t Kerr’s HQ colleagues not also “bend the rules” during lockdowns in the Covid pandemic. indeed even their own leader, the then PM Boris Johnson, also did that (also the current PM Sunak, who was then the Chancellor, received a penalty notice from the MET police for attending a party during lockdown) ….as in their bending of their own rules (ignoring them) that they set and then expected the public in England to comply with….or face , in some cases, extortionate fines !
We also saw Tory MP Owen Paterson willing to “bend the rules” in a lobbying scandal and where PM Johnson, in trying to save Paterson, then hoped to (bend) change the rules via The Standards Commission on the way MP’s conduct is policed….and now recently we also had Tory MP Scott Benton accused and now suspended for the same type of scandal as Owen Paterson…..but this was not the first time Benton had indulged in trying to “bend the rules” as in January 2021, Benton was found to have broken Parliamentary rules for failing to declare payments he had received for his previous work as a parliamentary researcher for Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker and as a councillor for Brighouse ward on Calderdale Council …he cited “an admin error” for failing to declare his income as a councillor (error being the ‘Go To’ excuse for many a Tory politician on non declaring of monies received e.g Dross’s thousands of pounds of undeclared earnings & Nadhim Zahawi non disclosure of millions of pounds in tax earnings ) .and then In response to the Parliamentary Commissioner of standards findings Benton apologised for “inadvertently breaching the rules“…..that is in trying to “bend the rules” in not declaring this…….
So actually Stephen Kerr is an expert in the art of those trying to “bend the rules” as his colleagues have indulged in this practise so many times……unfortunately this has confused him and so he often tries to adopt the Pot Kettle Black tactic towards those in opposition to his party…….as in if his party are doing it he then assumes others must also be doing it too….though it has to be said he is less critical of his own party’s attempts to “bend the rules”…….and of course Kerr was one of the Tories in Scotland who backed Liz Truss to be their new leader where he and other Tory MSP’s issued a statement saying “”With Liz as prime minister the Union won’t just be defended, it will be championed,” ……however the ‘economy’ was not “championed” or “defended” during her (short) term in office……was it….obviously Tory MSP’s like Kerr were willing to (Mind) “bend the rules” on using any logic or even using the infamous Tory “common sense” approach in backing ‘Truss for leader’ as in she, who is now , infamous as a first class (Tory) numptie…….as is Stephen Kerr !
NMRN
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I take your point on Kerr’s obvious involvement in this confected nonsense, but let’s venture beyond the ‘pot/kettle’ argument and address the realities the FM was dealing with.
SG had allocated funds to aid Gazans and this was the final tranche for the financial year – UNRWA were under huge stress from a propaganda war, so how do you get the funds through where it can have the most immediate effect ?
What the Tory controlled media have been attempting to game is Yousaf’s personal connection to his trapped parents-in-law at the time, and his religious beliefs, now Kerr seeks to re-ignite it as a ‘bend the rules’ discussion.
Flying Wallies Kerr doesn’t give a toss over what is right or fair, and never has – Who suffers as result of his games is “just tough”, which is why Stirling got rid as MP resoundingly after barely two years.
There are precious few Tories left who care about the people, and Labour are running close second to being the most unpopular party in UK political history – Hence the game afoot of “Oh look, a McSquirrel….”.
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🙂
Indeed….you are right.
Have a nice day/evening Bob
NMRN
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The ‘bad mouth’ Tories will soon be gone. Leading to their own demise. The damage they have done to the economy plain to see. Hold on a couple of months. Finally.
People who support Independence need to get out and vote a higher turnout. Those who benefit from SNP policies need to donate to SNP. Even non members.
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Ireland can vote to reunite. NI getting extra bungs to support illegal racist, bigoted, misogynist, unequal behaviour. The Masons for Unionist support at Westminster. Breaking the Law. Blackballing people. Secret, illegal and unfair. Breaking the Law.
The Troubles caused by Westminster and M15 illegal behaviour. Still being covered up under the Offical Secrets Act. An absolute disgrace.
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Private polling by the British State must be bad news for them, as we see these ever increasingly ludicrous attacks on Scotland and our elected politicians increase.
I think more and more folks are now ignoring all the shite thrown.
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This actually highlights the racism across UK media and there control by the extreme right wing……..Labour AND Tory smears of Scotland’s First Minister show both of these parties up for what they are. Have you noticed the deafening silence from Sarwar over this…..maybe he is merely “abstaining” as normal practice from the branch office….gotta protect Labours Muslim vote…….In England Labour’s Muslim vote is evaporating because of Starmers stance on Gaza.
https://themuslimvote.co.uk/who-should-i-vote-for
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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/15/in-a-london-borough-home-to-many-muslims-labour-loses-appeal-over-gaza
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May I add to consideration the departure of USAV General Frank S Besson for Gaza to construct a floating port in order to provide much needed aid to Gaza’s 2 million less 31,000 killed civilians including maybe 1% “extremists” ? WTG Seabees…
I doubt Netanyahu had a choice….
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THE TERROR GRAF
is set up to destroy SCOTTISH WAY OF LIFE
imposing Englishness on all parts o scotland
ATTENTION ALL TERROR GRAPH SCOTS WILL NEVER EVER BUY YOUR DRIVEL
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UNICEF or UNWRA? What are these two UN bodies stating about Gaza? (with my emphasis)
First a UNICEF statement, 3 March 2024 – “The child deaths we feared are here, as malnutrition ravages the Gaza Strip.
See https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-adele-khodr-unicef-regional-director-middle-east-and-north-africa-0
‘At least ten children have reportedly died because of dehydration and malnutrition in Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Northern Gaza Strip in recent days. There are likely more children fighting for their lives somewhere in one of Gaza’s few remaining hospitals, and likely EVEN MORE CHILDREN IN THE NORTH UNABLE TO OBTAIN CARE AT ALL.
“THESE TRAGIC AND HORRIFIC DEATHS ARE MAN-MADE, PREDICTABLE AND ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE.
“The widespread lack of nutritious food, safe water and medical services, a direct consequence of the impediments to access and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations, is impacting children and mothers, hindering their ability to breastfeed their babies, especially in the Northern Gaza Strip. People are hungry, exhausted and traumatized. Many are clinging to life.
“The disparity in conditions in the north and south is clear evidence that aid restrictions in the north are costing lives. UNICEF and WFP malnutrition screenings in the north in January found that nearly 16 per cent – or 1 in 6 children under 2 years of age – are acutely malnourished. Similar screenings conducted in the south in Rafah, where aid has been more available, found 5 per cent of children under 2 years are acutely malnourished.
“Humanitarian aid agencies like UNICEF must be enabled to reverse the humanitarian crisis, prevent a famine, and save children’s lives. For this we need reliable multiple entry points that would allow us to bring aid in from all possible crossings, including to northern Gaza; and security assurances and unimpeded passage to distribute aid, at scale, across Gaza, with no denials, delays and access impediments.
“UNICEF HAS BEEN WARNING SINCE OCTOBER THAT THE DEATH TOLL IN GAZA WOULD INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY IF A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS EMERGED AND WAS LEFT TO FESTER. THE SITUATION HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE, AND AS A RESULT, LAST WEEK, WE WARNED THAT AN EXPLOSION IN CHILD DEATHS WAS IMMINENT IF THE BURGEONING NUTRITION CRISIS WASN’T RESOLVED.
“Now, the child deaths we feared are here and are likely to rapidly increase unless the war ends and obstacles to humanitarian relief are immediately resolved.
“THE SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS AND DESPAIR AMONG PARENTS AND DOCTORS IN REALIZING THAT LIFESAVING AID, JUST A FEW KILOMETRES AWAY, IS BEING KEPT OUT OF REACH, MUST BE AS UNBEARABLE, BUT WORSE STILL ARE THE ANGUISHED CRIES OF THOSE BABIES SLOWLY PERISHING UNDER THE WORLD’S GAZE. The lives of thousands more babies and children depend on urgent action being taken now.”
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And now a statement from UNWRA: STATEMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF UNRWA TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, New York, 4 March 2024
See https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/statement-commissioner-general-unrwa-general-assembly
‘Mr. President, Excellencies,
‘I am here today because UNRWA, the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees, is at a breaking point. 75 YEARS AFTER ITS CREATION BY THIS ASSEMBLY AS A TEMPORARY UN ENTITY, PENDING A JUST POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE, the Agency’s ability to fulfil its mandate is seriously threatened.
‘Your urgent action is needed to facilitate a political solution that will bring peace to Palestinians and Israelis, and in this context alone, allow the Agency to transition. In the meantime, the financial crisis confronting UNRWA must be resolved so it can continue its lifesaving operations.
‘On January 26, the International Court of Justice issued a legally binding Order indicating provisional measures in relation to Palestinians in Gaza. It requests that the State of Israel take all measures in its power to prevent the commission of acts within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention. This includes enabling the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
‘THIS ORDER WAS ISSUED IN THE CONTEXT OF A WAR WHERE, IN A PERIOD OF JUST FIVE MONTHS, MORE CHILDREN, MORE JOURNALISTS, MORE MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND MORE UNITED NATIONS STAFF HAVE BEEN KILLED THAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD DURING A CONFLICT.
‘The death toll in Gaza is staggering. More than 30,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in just 150 days. 5% of the population is dead, injured or missing. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE SUFFERING IN GAZA. Doctors are amputating the limbs of injured children without anesthetic. Hunger is everywhere. A man-made famine is looming.
‘More than 100 people were killed a few days ago while desperately seeking food. Babies – just a few months old – are dying of malnutrition and dehydration.
‘I SHUDDER TO THINK OF WHAT WILL STILL BE REVEALED ABOUT THE HORRORS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THIS NARROW STRIP OF LAND. What is the fate of an estimated 300,000 Gazans isolated in the north, cut off from humanitarian supplies? HOW MANY PEOPLE REMAIN BURIED UNDER RUBBLE ACROSS THE GAZA STRIP? WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE ESTIMATED 17,000 CHILDREN WHO ARE ORPHANED, ABANDONED IN AN INCREASINGLY LAWLESS AND DANGEROUS PLACE?
‘Meanwhile, it appears that an assault on Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million displaced people are concentrated, is imminent. There is no safe place for them to go. Despite all the horrors that Gazans have lived through – and that we have watched – the worst might be yet to come.
‘Mr. President, On January 18, one week before the International Court of Justice ruling, the Israeli authorities informed me that 12 out of 30,000 UNRWA staff were allegedly involved in the horrific attacks of October 7.
‘NO FURTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO ME SINCE THAT DAY, but the gravity of the allegations necessitated swift action. I terminated the contracts of the staff concerned in the interest of the Agency. In parallel, an independent investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services was launched to establish the facts and is ongoing. Separately, the Secretary-General commissioned an independent review of our approach to risk management and neutrality.
‘DESPITE THESE PROMPT AND DECISIVE ACTIONS, AND THE UNSUBSTANTIATED NATURE OF THE ALLEGATIONS, 16 COUNTRIES HAVE PAUSED THEIR FUNDING, TOTALING 450 MILLION DOLLARS.
‘UNRWA has no capacity to absorb financial shocks. Especially while a war rages in Gaza. I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE MEMBER STATES AND DONORS THAT HAVE MAINTAINED OR EVEN INCREASED THEIR FUNDING. THANKS TO THEM, THE AGENCY, WHICH IS THE BACKBONE OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN GAZA, CAN CONTINUE OPERATING AND REMAINS A LIFELINE FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES ACROSS THE REGION.
‘But for how long? It is hard to say. We are functioning hand-to-mouth. Without additional funding, we will be in uncharted territory – with serious implications for global peace and security. The fate of the Agency, and the millions of people who depend on it, hang in the balance.
‘Excellencies, UNRWA IS FACING A DELIBERATE AND CONCERTED CAMPAIGN TO UNDERMINE ITS OPERATIONS, AND ULTIMATELY END THEM. Operations that are mandated by this Assembly. Part of this campaign involves INUNDATING DONORS WITH MISINFORMATION DESIGNED TO FOSTER DISTRUST AND TARNISH THE REPUTATION OF THE AGENCY.
‘More blatant, is the Israeli Prime Minister openly stating that UNRWA will not be part of post-war Gaza. The implementation of this plan is already underway with the destruction of our infrastructure across the Gaza Strip.
‘In the West Bank, movement restrictions and the banning of local staff from entering occupied East Jerusalem are affecting every aspect of our services. Attempts to evict UNRWA from its Headquarters in East Jerusalem, and from a nearby vocational training center for Palestine Refugee youth are underway. Draft legislation in the Israeli Knesset seeks to prohibit outright any activity by UNRWA on Israeli territory.’
From later in the statement: ‘Mr. President, THE REPEATED CALLS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL TO ELIMINATE THE AGENCY ARE NOT ABOUT NEUTRALITY. The campaign against UNRWA is intended to shift the long-standing political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory set by the General Assembly and the Security Council, without consulting either body. ATTACKS AGAINST UNRWA SEEK TO ELIMINATE ITS ROLE IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF PALESTINE REFUGEES AND ACTING AS A WITNESS TO THEIR PLIGHT.
‘This role was highlighted by information shared in written and oral submissions before the International Court of Justice, as well as the Court’s provisional ruling, with a corresponding increase in attacks against the Agency. UNRWA’s mandate embodies the promise of a fair and lasting political solution. Dismantling the Agency in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, would only serve those who oppose such a solution. PALESTINIAN REFUGEES WOULD FEEL, 75 YEARS AFTER THEIR NAKBA, THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS ONCE MORE TURNING ITS BACK.
‘Mr. President, Excellencies, In conclusion, I am not advocating for UNRWA to exist forever. The Agency was always meant to be temporary. ‘IT IS A STAIN ON OUR COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE THAT FOR 75 YEARS UNRWA HAS HAD TO FILL A VACUUM LEFT BY THE LACK OF A POLITICAL SOLUTION AND A GENUINE PEACE.
‘I would like to place three requests before this Assembly today:
‘First, I ask that Member States commit to FACILITATING A LONG-OVERDUE POLITICAL PROCESS CULMINATING in a solution that can bring peace to Palestinians and Israelis, and to chart the transition of UNRWA in this context only.
‘Second, in the immediate term – and given the enormous risks in Gaza and to the entire region – I appeal to the General Assembly to ensure that the Agency receives the support it needs from relevant Member States to operate, and to close the gap between UNRWA’s mandate and funding model. The Agency cannot fulfill the mandate given by this Assembly without matching funding from its members.
‘Finally, I urge those Member States that are seeking alternatives to UNRWA to do so IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT COMPROMISE PALESTINE REFUGEES’ RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION and aspiration to a just and lasting solution to their plight.
‘The past 75 years have shown us that without a political solution, wars recur, and generations of Palestinians and Israelis suffer. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS ENABLED THIS VICIOUS CYCLE BY FAILING TO DELIVER PEACE FOR DECADES.
This cannot continue. Thank you.’
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