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Swiss diplomat Philippe Lazzarini (60) is under pressure. Since 2020, he has been Director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This has been repeatedly criticized; after the Hamas attack on Israel, its existence is now threatened. According to Israeli intelligence, twelve aid organization employees were involved in the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7.
Lazzarini told media in Geneva on Tuesday that he hopes Switzerland and the EU will resume their support for the aid agency. “It is important that Switzerland remains the partner it has been so far,” said the director of the UN aid agency. Financing is assured until the end of May.
Shortly before, Lazzarini had ended an hour-long conversation with the National Council’s Foreign Policy Committee. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) has suspended its annual contribution of R20 million after allegations emerged that employees of the UN agency were involved in the massacre.
Germany talks money again
The accusations also concerned the Swiss parliament. The National Council’s Foreign Policy Committee (APK) therefore summoned the Director of UNRWA to its meeting. He was invited to discuss the situation UNRWA currently finds itself in, said Commission President Laurent Wehrli (58, FDP). The meeting did not take place in Bern as usual, but in Geneva.
The German federal government announced on Monday that it would donate 45 million euros for the work of the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees outside the Gaza Strip. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Development announced in Berlin that the funds were intended for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. Health and education services and food aid will be financed there, among other things.
Switzerland awaits
It is currently unclear whether and how Switzerland will resume its support. The Swiss contributions to UNRWA planned for 2024 have not yet been transferred. “A decision on their payment will be made when more information is available on the serious allegations against UNRWA,” the Foreign Ministry said when asked. As Parliament decided during its winter session, humanitarian funds for the Middle East in 2024 can only be disbursed after consultation with the foreign policy committees and in tranches. These are scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. (SDA/they)
Source:Blick
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