The plenary debate with the representative of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, was an opportunity for our CIVEX coordinator to demand a thorough investigation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) personnel following the accusations that a group of employees was involved in the Hamas' attack on Israel on 7 October.

Initial reports confirmed at least 12 employees of the agency to have been involved in the massacre while a teacher working for the agency used their own house to hold Israeli hostages. 

"Some Member States, such as Italy, reacted quickly and took the reasonable decision to suspend aid to this now discredited agency. We expect the same action to be taken by the European Commission and for Belgium to get on board all hesitant Member States" – concluded Mr Bianchi.