Saudi Arabia welcomes results of international investigation affirming UNRWA's neutrality

By Anadolu staff​​​​​​​

RIYADH (AA) – Saudi Arabia welcomed on Wednesday the results of an investigation conducted by an independent international committee regarding the performance of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “welcomes the results of the independent committee's investigation into UNRWA's performance, which confirms the agency's key role in supporting relief, humanitarian and developmental efforts for the Palestinian people.”

It reiterated “the importance of donor countries' commitment to UNRWA (in their allocations) to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of all forms of support for Palestinian refugees, alleviating their suffering, especially in light of the continued Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law.”

"Israel has yet to provide evidence" for its terror-link allegations against personnel of UNRWA, an independent review group revealed Monday.

A report conducted by the Independent Investigative Group involved extensive field visits and engagement with various stakeholders across regions of operation.

The group, led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, commenced its work on Feb. 13 and shed light on the investigation into UNRWA's adherence to the principle of neutrality.

Saying that UNRWA has implemented numerous mechanisms and procedures to uphold humanitarian principles, the report particularly emphasized the agency's neutrality.

The investigation involved three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Michelsen Institute in Norway and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

The independent external review was conducted in parallel with another investigation into the same matter currently being carried out by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services.

UNRWA has been hindered from doing its job since January, when Israel accused a handful of its thousands of employees of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas.

Amid a probe of the claims, several countries have cut off funding to the agency, and its aid work for Gaza’s famine-stricken population has suffered.

At least 18 countries initially suspended funding to the agency amid the allegations.

UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their land.

The agency provides crucial support to millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and other areas where large numbers of registered Palestinians live.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala