Former NZ PM and former UNDP head Helen Clark urges continued funding of UNRWA (or, UNWAR, UN Works and Relief in Palistine project) by NZ even though they’re riddled with terrorist supporters because the current UNRWA leader used to report to her and so must be trustworthy. (see video on page linked below). Perhaps it’s her own personal self interest that Helen Clark urges continued funding of UNWAR by the NZ Government at this time.
Israel passed on intelligence alleging several members of UNRWA’s staff were part of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel last year. The agency sacked some staff amid an ongoing internal investigation into the allegations.
The US, UK and Australia have suspended funds to UNRWA as a result. New Zealand is set to “assess” its own contribution.
Clark – a former UN Development Programme administrator – told Breakfast this morning: “I think stopping the funding is very unwise.
“This is the major humanitarian delivery arm into the Gaza Strip, to say nothing of the fact that it’s the major humanitarian and development agency serving Palestinian refugees and their descendants through Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank as well as Gaza,” she said.
“Of course, the allegations are serious, but they’re allegations.”
Clark said nine of the 12 accused workers have been sacked, while one is dead and two haven’t yet been traced by the UN.
The agency employs roughly 13,000 people.
The former PM emphasised that New Zealand’s next round of funding for the agency, a scheduled $1 million, wasn’t due until June.
“The UN has said it will have a full investigation, the Secretary-General himself has implored countries not to cut funding at this time when the Palestinian population is so besieged,” Clark said.
“So I think, really, countries like New Zealand taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Look, let this investigation run and let’s see where we are’ rather than just jump in and cut funding when it’s badly needed.”
