Aid workers accused of taking part on 7/10 attack on Israel - appalling !

[Lanabigbanana]

https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/serious-allegations-against-unrwa-staff-gaza-strip

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-palestinian-refugee-agency-investigates-staff-suspected-role-israel-attacks-2024-01-26/

From the Guardian 5 hours ago;

"UK suspends UNRWA support after Israeli allegations The UK has temporarily paused future funding of UNRWA, saying it is “appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel”.
A statement sent to the Guardian by the UK’s foreign, commonwealth and development office said:
'The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK government has repeatedly condemned.

The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations.'

We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it."

I'm so glad Ireland are not suspending their UNRWA funding.

"Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for UNRWA's vital Gaza work," Mr Martin said.

"UNRWA’s 13,000 employees provide life saving assistance to 2.3m people and at incredible personal cost - with over 100 staff killed in last four months".

Mr Martin added that Ireland provided the agency with €18m in 2023 and "will continue our support in 2024".

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0127/1428939-ireland-unrwa/

Israeli government and parts of the IDF have been praising massacres all over the place. (Yes I know they have the right to defend themselves but what is being done in Gaza often struggles to fit into any reasonable definition of defending yourself.)

Given the issues in Gaza before Oct 7th and the size of UNWRA it isn’t particularly surprising that a very small number of their staff may have links to Hamas or have been involved and isn’t necessarily indicative of widespread corruption. I would be surprised if governments around the world weren’t already aware of the possibility and were happy to fund aid up until this point.

Removing funding that will likely result in thousands of deaths because of 12 workers that have been suspended while continuing to fund bombs that will result in huge civilian casualties and reminding Israel to be a bit more careful with them does seem like a slightly one sided strategy on the face of it.

A statement from Hamas. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

https://twitter.com/ShaykhSulaiman/status/1751237712047223216?t=SEzv1xGrie5L4M1DS9qAYg&s=19

90% of Gaza is at crisis point with food supplies.
17% are at catastrophe level, very close to the 20% required for a famine.
The malnutrition and deaths follow quickly. Although as WHO has pointed out disease pops up in the gap between the two.
1.9 million out of 2.2 million people are displaced.

I hope that all these Governments defunding have an amazing plan B that they can roll into action of Monday.

@StarbucksSmarterSister the tone of that!

It's unbelievable isn't it?

Their right to protection and to resist the occupation by all available means.

That sent a shudder down my spine.

Agree

Also do we have a source?
No News channels seem to be covering it.
Does Sulaiman Ahmed have exclusive rights?

Well allegedly he is quite cosy with them so he might do.

You do realise that South Africa is in bed with Hamas, don't you?

https://apnews.com/article/hamas-mandela-south-africa-b2c0a01aea33469e05e9910d535a48c7

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12960795/South-African-leaders-cosy-meetings-Hamas-deadly-October-7-terrorist-attack-accusing-Israel-genocide.html

I don't read the daily main and apnews, thanks! you do know who they're owned by, don't you?

Daily Mail - 5th Viscount Rothermere

APN news - a group of Journalists headed by Suresh Kumar a British Indian (born in UK)

Why is this a problem to you?

You're calling me a "bot" for telling the truth?

Oh dear.

What are you insinuating?

Lord Rotherhithe owns the Mail and his family have done so for 3 generations.

Go away Israeli propaganda bot

How is a factual post on newspaper ownership Israeli propaganda?

@cupcakesarelife

Please you really need to try harder in a counter argument than to just dismiss the other opinion as a "propaganda bot".

In addition MN will most likely delete your post for accusing someone of being a "bot".

We seem to have a bit of a situation re. who owns the DM? Rothermere? Rotherhithe?

(For the record: Rothermere would be the correct answer in terms of "majority ownership" and also chairmanship. He is also the 4th Viscount thereof - not the 5th! And also, Harold Harmsworth, the first Lord Rothermere, was the owner of the DM during its "we love the Nazis" episode ... so ... whatever anyone is insinuating: no, this is not some sort of a Jewish conspiracy - and whoever says so is actually, genuinely being antisemitic!)

That said, the DM is still a vile, right-wing rag and - out of principle - I refuse to click on any linkt to it!

@cupcakesarelife

I kind of feel a bit sorry for you and thought I could help you with ways to deliver structured fact based counter arguments rather than playground insults. So here goes:

@Lanabigbanana wrote:

"You do realise that South Africa is in bed with Hamas, don't you"
And then provided some links.

Now rather than going all conspiracy theory with "you do know who they're owned by, don't you?"

I would have recommended an approach that went something along the lines of acknowledging ANC's long held sympathy and ties with the Palestinian cause which were parallel at the time by the close relationship and military ties between the South African apartheid Government and Israel. Then it always helps to add in a few factual links from reputable known sources - Wikipedia for example is great for this:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel%E2%80%93SouthAfricaa_relations#:~:text=During%20the%201950s%20and%201960s,countries%20in%20the%20Arab%20world.

Can you see how with a little effort this looks so much better than simply calling someone a "propaganda bot"?

Just trying to help.

I'd like to see.civilian staff brave enough to take on Hamas terrorists.
No wonder the people of Gaza are starving. Hamas have helped themselves.

The countries that have now suspended funding UNRWA are Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

I wish more people thought like you.
instead you get this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68103641

People literally seem to be salivating at the idea of obliterating innocent civilians - to the point of blocking aid trucks!

Yes, let's starve innocent children, women and men. That is what some clearly want. I mean, how dare they need food, medicine and other vital items in order to survive.

Interesting timing that this story had for release... almost as though it was hoping to distract from something. Could it be the court not dismissing South Africa? No, course it wouldn't be......

Hard to believe that when the ICJ orders the protection of humanitarian assistance countries withdraw funding from the main international aid agency which millions are relying on to stave of the forced starvation and homelessness imposed on them by Israel. Just when you think western “morality” can’t sink any lower in its depravity.

Sharing a donation link for those wishing to contribute to the vital work this agency does.

https://donate.unrwa.org/gaza/~my-donation

Thank you for the link. I will donate today.