Ex-UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness slams Israel’s ‘dishonest’ attack on Palestinian agency

A former spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has strongly condemned Israel’s criticisms of the organization, dismissing them as politically motivated lies aimed at dismantling support for Palestinian rights.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Chris Gunness, who served as UNRWA’s spokesperson for many years, accused Israel of waging a dishonest campaign against UNRWA based on false accusations. “This attack is based on a lie. It’s dishonest,” Gunness stated. He argued that Israel’s true intent is to undermine the status and rights of the 5.9 million Palestinian refugees currently registered with UNRWA. “If you get rid of UNRWA, you suddenly get rid of the 5.9 million refugees registered with UNRWA,” he warned.

According to Gunness, disbanding UNRWA would strip Palestinian refugees of vital services and protections they are entitled to, including healthcare, education, and the right to self-determination. “If the agency is disbanded, Palestinians would lose inalienable rights,” he said.

The former spokesman alleged that Israel is actively working to eradicate the agency to the detriment of the Palestinian people. He pointed to the recent blockade of UNRWA aid convoys attempting to reach northern Gaza since March 22nd as evidence of this campaign. “In Gaza, we’re seeing since March 22 UNRWA aid convoys blocked to the north. The implications of that are the 300,000 people there will slip further into starvation,” Gunness stated gravely.

UNRWA, established in 1949, is tasked with providing relief and humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. The agency has long been a target of criticism from Israel, which has accused it of perpetuating the refugee crisis and harbouring anti-Israeli sentiments.

Since October 7, Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of around 33,899 Palestinians and left 76,664 wounded. In retaliation, Hamas’s attacks on October 7 have led to 1,139 casualties in Israel, with several captives held in Gaza.