Japan announced on Tuesday its decision to lift the suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), marking a significant move in the agency’s efforts to restore operations in the Gaza Strip. The decision comes after Japan and 15 other countries halted approximately $450 million in funding following allegations made by Israel in January.
The allegation, centered around the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, led to a suspension of funding that disrupted the agency's crucial relief efforts in Gaza. However, Japan’s decision to resume funding underscores its recognition of UNRWA’s vital role in addressing the Gaza crisis, despite ongoing efforts to enhance governance and mitigate risks within the organization.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who recently met with UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo, emphasized the agency's indispensable role in providing essential aid to the besieged region. Kamikawa assured reporters that Japan would lift the financial moratorium and release approximately $35 million in originally planned funding while ensuring the appropriate use of its contributions.
While Japan refrained from commenting on the veracity of Israel’s allegations, citing an ongoing investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, the UNRWA took action by terminating some staff accused in the allegations. However, the agency later revealed that certain employees, released into Gaza from Israeli detention, reported being coerced into falsely implicating staff members in the attack.
The decision to resume funding comes amidst a broader review of UNRWA’s activities and neutrality, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, with the final report expected later this month. Japan’s commitment to supporting UNRWA underscores the international community’s recognition of the agency’s critical humanitarian mission despite challenges and controversies.
The allegation, centered around the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, led to a suspension of funding that disrupted the agency's crucial relief efforts in Gaza. However, Japan’s decision to resume funding underscores its recognition of UNRWA’s vital role in addressing the Gaza crisis, despite ongoing efforts to enhance governance and mitigate risks within the organization.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who recently met with UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo, emphasized the agency's indispensable role in providing essential aid to the besieged region. Kamikawa assured reporters that Japan would lift the financial moratorium and release approximately $35 million in originally planned funding while ensuring the appropriate use of its contributions.
While Japan refrained from commenting on the veracity of Israel’s allegations, citing an ongoing investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, the UNRWA took action by terminating some staff accused in the allegations. However, the agency later revealed that certain employees, released into Gaza from Israeli detention, reported being coerced into falsely implicating staff members in the attack.
The decision to resume funding comes amidst a broader review of UNRWA’s activities and neutrality, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, with the final report expected later this month. Japan’s commitment to supporting UNRWA underscores the international community’s recognition of the agency’s critical humanitarian mission despite challenges and controversies.
