At the June 2021 opening session of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, instead of welcoming legitimate critique of the organization for staff incitement and antisemitism, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini dismissed the criticism referring to such accusations as “irrational and “unacceptable.” In doing so, he also denigrated those who rightly bring to light this serious issue that affects the prospects for peace in the region.
Lazzrini’s statement also characterized efforts to ensure oversight and accountability as “political attacks that seek to undermine [UNRWA’s] legitimacy as a way to erode the rights of Palestine refugees”—from which UNRWA needed to be “shielded” by donor states.
Lazzarini’s full remarks are available here.
