Wtf....
US State Department temporarily pauses additional funding to UN agency
The US State Department "has temporarily paused additional funding" to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid allegations that some of the UN agency’s employees were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel, spokesperson Matt Miller announced Friday.
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on January 25 to emphasize the necessity of a thorough and swift investigation of this matter,” Miller said in a statement. “We welcome the decision to conduct such an investigation and Secretary General Guterres’ pledge to take decisive action to respond, should the allegations prove accurate,” he continued.
Miller said the US has contacted the Israeli government for more information about the allegations and has briefed members of Congress. The department also welcomed “the UN’s announcement of a ‘comprehensive and independent’ review of UNRWA,” Miller said.
“UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support,” he said. “Their work has saved lives, and it is important that UNRWA address these allegations and take any appropriate corrective measures, including reviewing its existing policies and procedures.”
Guilty until proven innocent, but understandable with the political pressure
UN agency head fires staff members allegedly involved in October 7 attacks
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's commissioner general announced Friday that he was "immediately" terminating the contracts of staff members allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. “The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October," Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement Friday, adding that he has made the decision in order to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian aid.
Lazzarini said an investigation is being launched into the alleged involvement of the employees and those involved will be held accountable "including through criminal prosecution." “These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began," he said, "Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world."
CNN has reached out to UNRWA and the Israeli authorities about the information Israel provided UNRWA and the nature of the alleged involvement of the UNRWA employees.
The PA is more positive about the ruling, glad the court at least recognizes the situation
ICJ "ruled in favor of humanity and international law,” Palestinian Authority foreign minister says
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki expressed gratitude on Friday for the provisional measures imposed by the International Court of Justice on Israel over its military operation in Gaza. “The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law. They ruled in favor of humanity and international law,” al-Maliki said in a video statement.
Al-Maliki stated: "The ICJ ruling breaks Israel's entrenched culture of criminality and impunity, which has characterized its decades-long occupation, dispossession, persecution, and apartheid in Palestine."
He called on all states to ensure the implementation of the provisional measures, emphasizing it as a binding legal obligation for Israel. Separately, the Palestinian Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs Ammar Hijazi said Friday is a “good day for humanity." “This ruling is in favor of (an) international system based on law, against exceptionalism and double standards,” Hijazi told reporters outside the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands.
Hijazi said the decision by the court to enact emergency measures ordering Israel to prevent the death and destruction caused by its military campaign means “that the cries and suffering of our people in Gaza have been heard.”
ICJ ruling is a "step in the right direction," protest organizer says
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Friday. One of the protest organizers, Nadia Slimi, told CNN she was “very happy” following the ICJ’s ruling imposing provisional measures on Israel over its military operation in Gaza, but was disappointed the court did not rule in favor of an immediate ceasefire.
“It feels like a victory and a significant milestone and a step in the right direction in the liberation of the Palestinian people in a way. It is also very disappointing that the court did not rule in favor for an immediate ceasefire at this time, because I personally believe that that is what the people need,” she said.
“It's finally a moment (where) Israel is going to be held accountable, and I'm very happy that they're choosing to pursue this case in court,” she added. One of those protesting Friday is climate activist Greta Thunberg, who said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that "we cannot remain silent."
The provisional measures are no different from the watered down UNSC resolution on December 22nd
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1145022
Which didn't lead to much while the destruction of Gaza, killing of civilians, spreading of disease, worsening famine continued on.
But at least its back in the news and now 'backed' by the court further looking over the results of Israel actually adhering to the measures.
Netanyahu orders his government not to comment on ICJ ruling: Report
Netanyahu has asked his ministers not to comment on the ICJ’s decision, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
After the ruling, Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a “mark of shame that will not be erased for generations”, and he pledged to press ahead with the war.
“We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people,” he said. “Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in The Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.”
Make sure they don't say what they mean...
Essay Pro