An independent panel that assessed the neutrality of the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees after Israel alleged that a dozen of its employees in Gaza took part in Hamas’ attacks on October 7 published its report on Monday.
Here are some of the key recommendations to strengthen the neutrality of the agency known as UNRWA.
— UNRWA, established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, does not have an executive council, but it does have an advisory body, which must put neutrality on the agenda at all meetings and establish a working group on neutrality and integrity issues.
— UNRWA faces challenges due to the increased politicization of its staff and should announce procedures to address future allegations of neutrality violations, and identify and implement additional ways to screen staff early in the recruitment process.
– UNRWA should strengthen regular sharing of digital personnel lists with host countries and Israel by ensuring the inclusion of additional information, including ID numbers and jobs. In response, host countries and Israel should provide UNRWA with the results of their screening and “any red flags.”
— UNRWA’s international staff in Gaza is less than 1% of its total workforce and there needs to be more senior international staff on the ground to monitor neutrality issues.
– UNRWA’s reform efforts in management and internal oversight “are commendable and should be expanded,” including through the establishment of a centralized neutrality review unit.
– UNRWA must implement “a zero-tolerance policy” against textbooks used in its schools that spread anti-Semitic views or promote discrimination and incitement to hatred.
– The politicization of UNRWA staff unions is “one of the most sensitive neutrality issues” and the organization should request an independent body to investigate each staff union representative for their neutrality.
– It is “imperative” for UNRWA to increase its engagement with donor countries to promote trust and strengthen their partnership.
— The international community has a responsibility to assist and support UNRWA in addressing neutrality issues.