Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has accused the Israeli government of purchasing Google advertisements to defame the agency and deter potential donors.

He asserts that this campaign aims to damage UNRWA’s reputation and endanger its staff, while also criticizing social media platforms for facilitating the spread of misinformation.

Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has publicly accused the Israeli government of engaging in a smear campaign against the agency. According to Lazzarini, Israel is using Google ads to disseminate negative propaganda designed to tarnish the image of UNRWA and discourage contributions to the organization.

In a statement released today, Lazzarini expressed deep concern over the implications of this campaign, emphasizing that it not only harms the agency's reputation but also places the lives of its staff members at risk. He called for an immediate cessation of these efforts and demanded an investigation into the matter.

Lazzarini further highlighted that this situation is part of a broader trend of misinformation being used as a tool in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He criticized social media companies for allowing and profiting from the spread of false information, which he argued exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.

Lazzarini underscored the urgent need for stricter regulations to combat misinformation and hate speech online. He noted that UNRWA, as the largest humanitarian organization working in Gaza, has been a target of systematic defamation, particularly following allegations against 12 of its employees.

These allegations led 18 countries and the European Union to suspend funding to UNRWA. However, some nations and entities have since resumed their financial support after UN investigations disproved the claims. 

UNRWA has been at the center of international attention due to its role in providing essential services and aid to Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza. The agency has often found itself caught in the crossfire of political disputes, with funding and support subject to the ebb and flow of international relations and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Lazzarini’s latest accusations add a new dimension to the ongoing challenges faced by UNRWA as it continues its mission in one of the world’s most volatile regions. (ILKHA)