The Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, during a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar in Ashdod, stated that his country will no longer cooperate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Tajani condemned Hamas for using UNRWA offices to hold Israeli hostages and added that this misuse by Hamas and UNRWA's negligence is sufficient reason to halt cooperation with this UN agency. The Israeli Foreign Minister also criticized the performance of UN-affiliated organizations towards Israel, claiming that these organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council, have treated the Israeli government and people with "biased, obsessive, anti-Semitic, and double-standard" approaches. Some released hostages from Hamas captivity and their families have stated that this Iranian-backed terrorist group has kept some of its hostages in facilities belonging to UNRWA in Gaza. On Tuesday, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, signed an executive order for Washington's withdrawal from two UN-affiliated organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council. According to this order, the U.S. will also withdraw from UNRWA and cut its aid to it. Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA and some of its staff of collaborating with Hamas and being involved in the October 7 attack by this Iranian-backed terrorist group on Israel. Recently, representatives from the parliaments of 14 European countries called on the UN Secretary-General to remove UNRWA from the list of UN organizations. Trump issued the order for the U.S. withdrawal from two UN organizations. Several European representatives have called for the removal of UNRWA from UN organizations. The UN Secretary-General has called for the immediate evacuation of 2,500 children from Gaza. Trump stated that anti-Semitism has no place in America or any other civilized society. Israel has set a deadline for the UN; UNRWA must leave Jerusalem.
After the United States, Italy Also Announced Suspension of Cooperation with UNRWA
Italy has announced it will stop cooperating with UNRWA, following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organization. This move is part of broader criticisms against UNRWA for alleged ties to Hamas and its treatment of Israel. The situation highlights increasing tensions in international relations concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Italy announced it will cease cooperation with UNRWA, following a similar decision by the U.S. This decision stems from accusations that UNRWA has been misused by Hamas, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Italy's Foreign Minister condemned Hamas for using UNRWA facilities for holding hostages.
- The U.S. has also decided to withdraw from UNRWA and other UN organizations, citing similar concerns.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
UNRWA provides essential services to Palestinian refugees, but it has faced allegations of bias and collaboration with militant groups like Hamas, complicating its operations and funding.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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