Over a hundred Israelis, all of whom were victims of the events of October 7, filed a huge lawsuit in New York federal court against UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees. The prosecution claims that UNRA assisted and participated in terrorist acts and crimes against humanity committed by Hamas
The lawsuit is being represented by the MM-LAW law firm, which has already represented more than 12,000 international victims of terrorist acts. According to the lawsuit, UNRA led a “money laundering” operation that, among other things, covered the operations of Hamas, and they were transferred to a terrorist organization instead of aid-seeking civilians. It is claimed that UNRA set up military operations under the agency’s framework, and UNRA employees even participated in the operations such
“The findings in the lawsuit prove that UNRWA was aware of and actively participated in the diversion of funds to support terrorism, in violation of international law,” said Bijan Amini, one of the leading lawyers in the case. He added that the lawsuit emphasizes that UNRWA helped Hamas dig tunnels and establish command centers under its facilities, and that the agency helped establish military infrastructure for the terrorist organization.
In response to the allegations, UNRWA provided major aid to Hamas, given in US dollars instead of local currencies, which is not common in other UN refugee programs. This plan renewed Hamas’s income and reduced the real value of international aid to the residents of Gaza.
The main message of the lawsuit is that UNRWA was aware of the consequences of the aid it provides to Hamas, but chose to ignore it and continue to provide Hamas with economic aid and infrastructure, in violation of international humanitarian law.
The lawsuit also states that UNRA chose to use textbooks and curricula approved by Hamas, which contained incitement and indoctrination of Palestinian children to support and participate in Hamas’ jihadist death cult culture, including instilling the goal and desire to participate in genocidal killing by turning them into suicide terrorists. , instead of using textbooks that conform to the principles and requirements of the United Nations.
The lawsuit also claims, among other things, that – UNRA continues to provide substantial aid to Hamas despite public concern and objections from within the UN system; UNRA staff are and were members of Hamas and participated, as stated, in the October 7, 2023 attacks; Agency staff held and tortured hostages taken in the October 7 attack and its aftermath; UNRA knowingly and intentionally employed Hamas members as management and staff of the agency; Senior Hamas operatives held influential positions in UNRA; Hamas controls the UNRA staff union in Gaza.
Gadi and Rauma Kedem, whose children and grandchildren were murdered in the October 7 massacre, said: “There is no pain in the world that compares to burying your children and grandchildren who were murdered and suffocated in their own home. All that remains is to fight so that those responsible for strengthening Hamas will be held accountable. UNRA strengthened Hamas and transferred money and financed the murders, while being a full partner in the growth of Hamas terrorists. UNRA and its administrators are completely complicit in the murder of my children and my family.”
(Photo: headquarters of the families of the kidnapped and missing)
The lawsuit also mentions the 84-year-old Ditza Hayman, who was held hostage by Hamas, and testifies to UNRA’s role in training programs and in obtaining the Arabs as terrorists.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York, the place where UNRWA’s headquarters offices are located, and against the central managers of the agency, who are accused of being responsible for its actions.
What is UNRA?
It is a body on behalf of the United Nations that was founded on December 8, 1949 and deals with providing services to Palestinian refugees. The agency was established separately from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whose goal is to take care of all refugees in the world. UNRWA is subordinate to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and every three years the mandate for its activity is renewed. The mandate was continuously renewed and is valid until June 30, 2026.
UNRWA was supposed to be a temporary agency that would operate for 3-4 years, and then be closed, similar to another temporary agency that was established at the same time to resettle Korean refugees from World War II. But unlike the Korean case, it only perpetuated the Palestinian refugee problem, and the funding of the organization by Western countries continues to this very day.
UNRA operates in five regions: the Gaza Strip, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
