A lawsuit filed Monday in US Federal Court by victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks alleges extensive fraud and corruption in United Nations aid distribution to Gaza, according to a press release. The legal action claims that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) orchestrated a billion-dollar money laundering operation that funded Hamas, significantly reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza residents and contributing to the October 7 attack.
The lawsuit, as reported in the press release, contends that UNRWA was complicit in diverting funds intended for Gaza's population into channels supporting terrorism. Bijan Amini, one of the lead attorneys in the case, stated, "The findings in this lawsuit demonstrate that UNRWA was aware of and actively participated in the diversion of funds earmarked to support the people of Gaza into channels that ensured those funds were used for terrorism and in violation of international law. UNRWA's insistence that over a billion dollars in Gaza aid be distributed in US cash that locals could not spend without going through Hamas moneychangers is one of the most damning pieces of new evidence presented in this case."
The lawsuit, according to the press release, alleges that UNRWA was fully aware of Hamas' dominance in all levels of its educational system. It claims that UNRWA continued to print textbooks bearing the UN seal that contained controversial content, even after reports of abuse and alarm were raised by the US, UN, and EU, and after the EU froze assets. The press release states, "UNRWA continued to print textbooks with the UN seal that taught little children grammar by having them write, 'I will commit jihad to liberate the homeland' and 'nourish the homeland with [my] blood.'" The lawsuit also alleges that UNRWA often taught Gaza's children to count by counting the martyrs killed in the 2014 Intifada. These claims suggest a systemic issue within UNRWA's educational programs, potentially contributing to the radicalization of Gaza's youth.
"Hamas – a known terrorist organization whose charter claims peace would only be possible when Israel is destroyed – openly controlled 24 of 26 leadership positions in the UNRWA employee union. At least 10% of UNRWA employees were members of Hamas and over 100 were proven to have taken part in the October 7 attack," the statement reads.
The lawsuit, according to the press release, alleges that UNRWA was fully aware of Hamas' dominance in all levels of its educational system. It claims that UNRWA continued to print textbooks bearing the UN seal that contained controversial content, even after reports of abuse and alarm were raised by the US, UN, and EU, and after the EU froze assets. The press release states, "UNRWA continued to print textbooks with the UN seal that taught little children grammar by having them write, 'I will commit jihad to liberate the homeland' and 'nourish the homeland with [my] blood.'" The lawsuit also alleges that UNRWA often taught Gaza's children to count by counting the martyrs killed in the 2014 Intifada. These claims suggest a systemic issue within UNRWA's educational programs, potentially contributing to the radicalization of Gaza's youth.
According to the press release, a key allegation involves UNRWA's practice of distributing aid in US dollars rather than local currency. This unique approach, not used in other UN refugee programs, reportedly forced aid recipients to use Hamas-controlled money changers, who charged 10-20% fees for currency conversion.
"The findings in this lawsuit demonstrate that UNRWA was aware of and actively participated in the diversion of funds earmarked to support the people of Gaza into channels that ensured those funds were used for terrorism and in violation of international law. UNRWA's insistence that over a billion dollars in Gaza aid be distributed in US cash that locals could not spend without going through Hamas moneychangers is one of the most damning pieces of new evidence presented in this case."
Gadi and Reuma Kadem, who lost family members in the October 7 attacks, expressed their grief and determination to seek accountability. They said, "There is no pain in the world that compares to burying your children and grandchildren who were murdered and suffocated in their own home. All that is left is to fight to hold those responsible for strengthening Hamas to account. UNRWA strengthened Hamas and transferred funds and financed the murders, acting as a full partner in the growth of Hamas terrorists. UNRWA and its directors are fully complicit in the murder of my children and family."
Breaking: @UNRWA headquarters in Gaza destroyed today
It was used as one of H×mas' main headquarters. Tens of H×mas terrorists are reportedly dead inside the building.
pic.twitter.com/SsWEgztXm5— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) June 23, 2024
The lawsuit also alleges that UNRWA's operational costs and staff size per refugee served are nearly ten times that of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. It further claims that Hamas controlled 24 of 26 leadership positions in the UNRWA employee union, and at least 10% of UNRWA employees were members of Hamas.
Ditza Hieman, who was held hostage for 53 days, shared her experience, stating, "The terrorist who held me hostage for 53 days worked as a school teacher for UNRWA. The fact that Hamas controlled Gaza was not an excuse for UNRWA to hire and fund terrorists, but instead should have ensured UNRWA took extra precautions. UNRWA knew it was hiring terrorists and that its funds and facilities were being used for violence, but UNRWA's complicity in paying and empowering terrorists to teach and radicalize a generation of Gaza's children was perhaps even more evil and tragic."
The press release also includes a statement from an individual identified as TB, who witnessed events on October 7: "The horrors I witnessed on October 7 are only possible through an extended and pervasive poisoning of the soul of a people. Humans are not capable of the scale and depth of cruelty on their own. UNRWA's complicity in October 7 goes far beyond providing the material means for Hamas to carry out this attack. UNRWA provided Hamas with a generation of children and the social controls necessary to breed the evil that I witnessed and so many suffered that day and since."
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 100 plaintiffs in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. It names UNRWA and seven commissioner-generals, deputy commissioner-generals, and directors who allegedly oversaw the illegal schemes from New York.
The legal action emphasizes the need to shift control of Gaza aid from UNRWA to other organizations such as the UNHCR or national and NGO partners. As the case unfolds, it is expected to shed light on the complex dynamics of aid distribution in conflict zones and the challenges of ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches its intended recipients.
An individual identified as TB, who witnessed events on October 7, stated: "The horrors I witnessed on October 7 are only possible through an extended and pervasive poisoning of the soul of a people. Humans are not capable of the scale and depth of cruelty on their own. UNRWA's complicity in October 7 goes far beyond providing the material means for Hamas to carry out this attack. UNRWA provided Hamas with a generation of children and the social controls necessary to breed the evil that I witnessed and so many suffered that day and since."
