Israel demands that the leadership of the United Nations' refugee agency for Palestinians must be dismissed, with the organization replaced with "agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday evening.
Praising the decisions of multiple countries to stop funding UNRWA following intelligence information provided by Israel regarding the involvement of several organization members in the October 7 attack.
"I call for more nations to join in," Katz wrote on X. "UNRWA's ties with Hamas, providing refuge for terrorists, and perpetuating its rule, are undeniable.
"The leadership of UNRWA should be dismissed and thoroughly investigated for their knowledge of these activities. In Gaza's rebuilding, UNRWA must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development," the foreign minister added.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said, "Congratulations to the US, UK, Italy, Canada, Finland, and Australia for the decision to stop funding UNRWA.
"The time has come to establish an alternative organization that will not educate generations of Palestinian children in hatred and will not cooperate with Hamas terrorism," he continued.
Foreign Minister Katz's comments
Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the American government Saturday morning for its decision to stop funding UNRWA.
"We have been warning for years: UNRWA perpetuates the 'refugee problem,' distances peace, and serves as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza," wrote Katz on X, and called on the UN to take "immediate personal steps" against the leaders of the organization.
Katz also demanded that the UN fire the heads of UNRWA and immediately open an investigation into the employees' involvement in the October 7 massacre.
מברך את הממשל האמריקאי על החלטתו להפסיק את המימון לארגון אונר"א, אחרי שהתברר שחלק מעובדיו נטלו חלק בטבח הנורא ב-7 לאוקטובר. אנחנו מתריעים כבר שנים: אונר"א מנציחה את "בעיית" הפליטים, מרחיקה את השלום ומשמשת כזרוע אזרחית של חמאס בעזה.מברך את קנדה שהצטרפה להחלטה ומצפה שמדינות…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 27, 2024