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The House Foreign Affairs Committee is demanding that the pinnacle of a world Palestinian refugee company testify before Congress over the “many troubling allegations” leveled towards it amid Israel’s conflict on Hamas in Gaza.
Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, despatched a letter to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees within the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini insisting that he sit for a public listening to.
“I remain extremely concerned over UNRWA’s widespread allegations of corruption and the millions of taxpayer dollars already sent to UNRWA this fiscal year. A full accounting of UNRWA’s complicity in the October 7th attack – as with all instances of terrorism – is urgently needed,” McCaul instructed Fox News Digital.
He mentioned his committee has already heard testimony “that directly contradicts UNRWA’s claims” and “it is now more important than ever that the American people hear directly from Mr. Lazzarini in a public setting.”
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House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul is demanding that the pinnacle of UNRWA testify in a public listening to.
Lazzarini had agreed to come before the committee in late January in a “closed, members-only setting,” in accordance to the letter, citing “UN privileges and immunities” that prevented him from showing within the open.
“With regard to your letter, we must first point out that UN privileges and immunities do not forbear voluntary testimony,” the lawmakers responded. “Second, many members of this Committee are gravely concerned, but sadly, unsurprised by allegations that employees of UNRWA participated in the horrendous October 7th attack and that thousands of employees have familial or direct ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations.”
“Furthermore, we are outraged by recent reporting that a Hamas military installation and server room is located directly beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. To make matters worse, Hamas operated this installation by siphoning electricity from UNRWA.”
McCaul identified that Lazzarini had appeared before European lawmakers in 2021 and 2022 for “an Exchange of Views in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET).”
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UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini mentioned he would temporary lawmakers in a non-public setting, McCaul mentioned
“If you are willing to appear before the AFET, you surely can and would be willing to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee especially given the United States’ long term and considerable financial support to UNRWA,” he mentioned.
The letter is co-led by Reps. Brian Mast, R-Fla., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., subcommittee chairs on Foreign Affairs.
The U.N. is conducting an inner, however unbiased investigation after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staffers of participating in Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault final 12 months that killed greater than 1,200 folks – largely civilians.
The Biden administration has paused funding for the company, which supplies help to Palestinian refugees, after the allegations had been leveled. The U.S. had designated $51 million towards UNRWA for fiscal 12 months 2024.
Last month, Lazzarini condemned Israel for allegedly placing an UNRWA facility in Gaza and killing 9 folks. Israel has denied accountability for the assault.
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“The compound is a clearly marked UN facility & its coordinates were shared with Israeli Authorities as we do for all our facilities. Once again a blatant disregard of basic rules of war,” Lazzarini wrote on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to UNRWA for touch upon the letter however didn’t instantly hear again.
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