Members of the Home International Affairs Committee known as for UNRWA Commissioner-Normal Philippe Lazzarini to testify publicly earlier than the committee relating to allegations in opposition to company members taking part within the assaults on October 7, Committee Chairman Mike McCaul (R-TX) introduced in an announcement on Thursday.
McCaul despatched a letter to Lazzarini on Wednesday together with Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), Subcommittee on International Well being, International Human Rights and Worldwide Organizations Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).
McCaul beforehand issued this request in January, to which Lazzarini stated UN privileges and immunities forbore him from being compelled to testify in an open session.
UNRWA worker involvement on October 7
“On the subject of your letter, we should first level out that UN privileges and immunities don’t forbear voluntary testimony. Second, many members of this Committee are gravely involved, however sadly, unsurprised, by allegations that staff of UNRWA participated within the horrendous October seventh assault and that hundreds of staff have familial or direct ties to Hamas and different terrorist organizations,” McCaul wrote within the letter.
“Moreover, we’re outraged by latest reporting {that a} Hamas army set up and server room is positioned immediately beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. To make issues worse, Hamas operated this set up by siphoning electrical energy from UNRWA,” the letter stated.
McCaul stated Lazzarini should point out his willingness to voluntarily seem for a public listening to no later than March 14.
