Israel: Some UNRWA Educational Staff Were Members of Terrorist Organizations

On Thursday, November 15, the Israeli newspaper 'Jerusalem Post' reported, citing a new report, that several educational staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were involved in 'Hamas's militant activities.' According to the publication, Israeli intelligence services had released a revealing report this summer indicating that over 10% of senior educational staff at UNRWA in Gaza were members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, two groups supported by the Islamic Republic. The Jerusalem Post wrote that this report, which was also shared with the agency, contradicted the organization's claims of providing neutral and non-extremist education to Palestinian children. The report stated that investigations by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in Education identified 12 principals and vice-principals in UNRWA schools as 'active members of terrorist organizations,' many of whom hold command positions in terrorist units. A spokesperson for this institute told the Jerusalem Post: 'This discovery directly contradicts the recent assurances of Philippe Lazzarini, the agency's commissioner, to the UN General Assembly regarding the organization's commitment to teaching tolerance and anti-extremism.' Additionally, the report highlighted concerning findings, including the discovery of Hamas tunnels beneath two educational institutions - Al-Maghazi B and Al-Zeitoun A. Furthermore, in one of the schools, fifth-grade students were taught to honor 'Moroccan broker,' a terrorist responsible for the Coastal Road Massacre in 1978 that killed 38 Israelis. The educational materials introduced the Moroccan as a 'military leader' and 'hero,' encouraging students to name their children and streets after him. Also included were worksheets with the UNRWA logo that stated 'Liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque and sacrificing for it is the duty of all Muslims.' In this context, at Ahmad Abdulaziz School, the map of Israel was erased and replaced with the name Palestine. About two weeks ago, the Israeli parliament approved a bill to ban UNRWA's activities. According to this legislation, which will come into effect in about three months, UNRWA is recognized as a terrorist entity, its activities will be prohibited throughout Israel and the Palestinian territories under its control, and Israeli entities will be prohibited from any contact with it. Earlier, the Israeli army announced on October 25 that it demanded immediate explanations from senior UN officials regarding the 'involvement' of UNRWA staff in Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 last year. The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli army also called for an 'immediate investigation' into UNRWA employees. These demands came after UNRWA confirmed that 'Mohammad Abu Attaawi,' who was killed on October 24 in a targeted attack by the Israeli army, was an employee of the agency. The Israeli army identified Abu Attaawi as 'one of Hamas's commanders' and stated that he played a significant role in the killing and kidnapping of Israelis during the October 7 attack, having been employed by UNRWA for over two years. Last winter, Israel announced that some UNRWA employees participated in the killing and kidnapping of Israelis during Hamas's previous attack, with about 190 employees of the agency, including teachers, being active as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants, both groups supported by the Islamic Republic. Over the past year, Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA and its staff of collaborating with Hamas militants and participating in the October 7 terrorist attack. The United Nations dismissed some members of UNRWA after investigating the accusations made by Israel regarding the involvement of certain UNRWA members in last year's October attack. The UN Secretary-General expressed concern over the prohibition of UNRWA's activities in Israel and some Palestinian areas. The UN confirmed that the killed Hamas commander was operating under the guise of a UNRWA 'relief worker.' Israel demanded immediate clarification from the UN regarding UNRWA's involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack. The US representative criticized Israel for potentially obstructing UNRWA's activities and the human rights situation in Gaza. Internal UN investigations indicated that nine UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 attacks. Guterres stated that the 'United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees' has no substitute and should be supported. Leaders of the 'Group of 7' called for the continued 'unimpeded' operation of UNRWA.