“A shameful disgrace.” The President of Ireland criticizes Israel’s campaign against UNRWA

Irish President Michael Higgins criticized Israel's campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), indicating that the situation in Gaza should not be turned a blind eye to by international public opinion.

Irish President Michael Higgins denounced Israel's campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and said that launching such a campaign was a "disgraceful disgrace."

In a statement he issued on Tuesday regarding the situation in Gaza, Higgins referred to statements by the Commissioner-General of the United Nations, Philippe Lazzarini, that “Israel is implementing a campaign to eliminate UNRWA.”

He explained, "The situation we are witnessing now in Gaza is a situation that global public opinion should not divert its attention from or turn a blind eye to."

He pointed out, "This is a matter of life and death. The blockade imposed on food and aid must be stopped immediately."

He stated that aid that could be delivered immediately was being prevented “in a scandalous manner,” and that those responsible must bear responsibility for the deaths that occurred.

Higgins criticized some countries' cutting of financial support to UNRWA, stressing that countries that cut support must take into account children who die from lack of oxygen and children who die from malnutrition.

He stressed that all members of the United Nations should take note and be concerned about the statement of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, regarding the existence of a campaign against the agency.

Higgins stressed that launching a campaign against the United Nations in this regard is a "shameful disgrace" towards the heroic efforts of the agency's employees.

Since January 26, 18 countries and the European Union have suspended their funding to UNRWA, against the backdrop of Israeli allegations that employees of the agency participated in the attack on settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip on October 7, while the agency announced that it is investigating these allegations.