United Nations workers halted its food aid program Friday to 25,000 Gazan refugees, after Palestinian protesters stormed the global body’s field office and demanded more money for the poor.
Authorities removed the protesters — but they’re non-repentant and vow to stage more, Agence France-Presse reported.
“We shall continue our protests,” said Abu Hussam, a 50-year-old unemployed protester, in AFP.
U.N. Relief and Works Agency officials said they had to cut their assistance program to Gazan refugees because of budget cuts. But they also said they wouldn’t tolerate attacks on workers.
“We fully understand the impact the decision to suspend cash assistance had on some of our beneficiaries,” UNRWA said, in a statement reported by AFP. “[But] with the situation further compounded by today’s actions, all relief and distribution [centers] will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue unhindered.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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