Japan, on Sunday, joined a growing number of nations in suspending financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees.
This decision stems from concerns about allegations suggesting the involvement of UNRWA staff members in the October 7 terror attack on Israel.
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and at least five other countries have also temporarily halted their funding.
Israel has presented evidence indicating that twelve employees of the organization in Gaza took part in the massacre of 1,200 Israeli citizens orchestrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
Japan Worried About UNRWA Staff in Israel Attack
Given the circumstances, Japan expresses deep concern regarding the purported involvement of UNRWA staff members in the October 7th terror attack on Israel, as conveyed by Foreign Press Secretary Kobayashi Maki from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Consequently, Japan has opted to temporarily withhold further funding to UNRWA, pending the outcome of an investigation by the organization into the allegations and the implementation of appropriate measures to address the issue.
Kobayashi emphasized that Japan has been emphatically encouraging the UNRWA to expeditiously and comprehensively investigate the issue and implement suitable measures.
Notably, Kobayashi underscored the necessity of enhancing governance within UNRWA to ensure the effective fulfillment of its designated role.
Simultaneously, Kobayashi conveyed that Japan remains committed to ongoing and proactive diplomatic initiatives aimed at ameliorating the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
The objective is to swiftly alleviate tensions by extending support to various international organizations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan declared the suspension of funding to UNRWA on the same day when United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to member nations to recommence financial support for the agency.
This call came despite allegations from Israel accusing certain employees of the organization of involvement in the massacre that occurred last year.