Danon backs EU lawmakers’ call for disbanding UNRWA after ex-hostage says she was held in UN facilities in Gaza

Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon voices support for a letter written by European lawmakers demanding that UNRWA be removed from the United Nations, and tells Channel 12 that the agency should be disbanded and funds allocated to alternative aid organizations.

The letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres, signed by dozens of lawmakers from 14 European countries, came after Mandy Damari revealed that her daughter Emily was held by the Palestinian terror group Hamas at UNRWA facilities in Gaza during her 15 months of captivity.

“UNRWA has contravened all its missions and has helped a terrorist organization to hide hostages, which is politically, morally and legally highly reprehensible,” the lawmakers write.

They call for UNHCR, the UN agency mandated to aid all other refugees around the world, to take responsibility for the Palestinians as well.

Damari, a dual British-Israeli national, is one of 18 hostages — civilians, soldiers, and Thai nationals — kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, who have been released during a ceasefire that began in January.

Responding to the letter, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini writes, “Claims that hostages have been held in UNRWA premises are deeply disturbing and shocking. We take any such allegations extremely seriously.”

He calls for an “independent investigation” and claims the UN body was “forced to vacate all its installations in the north of Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, on 13 October 2023 and has, since then, had no control over them.”

“I repeat our call for the immediate release and safe return of all hostages,” he adds.

An Israeli ban on the UN agency for Palestinians because of its ties to terror organizations, including Hamas, came into effect last week.

Israel has provided evidence that some UNRWA employees were actively involved in Gaza terror groups and participated in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, invasion and slaughter. Israel has also provided evidence that the agency’s schools incited hatred of Israel and glorification of attacks against Israelis.