The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, is holding talks in Dublin this morning with Commissioner-General of the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA), Philippe Lazzarini.
The UN welfare agency for Palestinian refugees was established in 1949, a year after the State of Israel was founded, and nearly the entire Gaza population now relies on UNRWA for basics including food, water and hygiene.
However, the organisation has been in a funding crisis ever since Israel claimed that 12 UNRWA staff were involved in the Hamas massacre of 1,200 people as part of 7 October attacks.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General is in Dublin this morning at a time of crisis for his organisation.
Read more about the conflict in the Middle East
Some donor countries have indicated that they will not resume providing full financial support to UNWRA until an investigation of the Israeli allegations is completed.
However Ireland continues to fund UNRWA, with the Tánaiste stating last month that the organisation carries out vital work in Gaza.
Mr Martin also said that he had “full confidence” in Mr Lazzarini’s ability to investigate the Israeli claims thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror.
In a letter received by Ursula Von Der Leyen, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said UNWRA, must be allowed to continue its vital work saving lives and addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The letter added that Eu support to UNWRA must be maintained, saying there is no pathway to achieving the urgent massive and sustained scale-up in humanitarian assistance without UNWRA playing a central role.
Mr Lazzarini, who sacked the staff members accused by Israel, has been engaging in shuttle diplomacy in a bid to plug a funding shortfall, which is estimated to be around $440 million (€410 million).
Mr Martin said last night he looked forward to discussing UNRWA’s “needs and concerns” with Mr Lazzarini.
