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Dozens of Israelis sued the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees on Monday, accusing it of aiding and abetting Hamas in its October 7 attack on Israel.
The lawsuit, filed by more than 100 plaintiffs in New York Federal Court, alleges the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and seven high-ranking officials including its head Philippe Lazzarini, assisted Hamas in building a terror infrastructure crucial for October 7.
“There is no pain in the world that compares to burying your children and grandchildren who were murdered and suffocated in their own home,” said Gadi and Reuma Kadem, two plaintiffs, in a statement included in the complaint.
“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.”
Hamas tunnel under Gaza - in pictures
The plaintiffs are also seeking to hold the UNRWA accountable for allegedly channelling more than $1 billion from a Manhattan bank to Hamas.
They said the UN agency paid local staff in US dollars instead of Israeli shekels, meaning UN personnel used Hamas-affiliated money-changers, providing Hamas with hard currency to pay for “its illicit weapons procurement network".
“Whether defendants knew of the precise plans for the attack or its magnitude is irrelevant to their liability," the lawsuit says.
"They knew that Hamas openly proclaimed its goal to target and murder innocent civilians in violation of the law of nations and treaties of the United States, and knew that the material support they were providing would enhance Hamas’s capability to do so."
Women in Gaza during the conflict - in pictures
The plaintiffs also alleged that the UNRWA has provided “safe harbour” for Hamas, using its bases and allowing schools to use Hamas-approved textbooks that promote violence and hatred towards Jews and Israel.
The lawsuit claimed that in addition to the UNRWA and its senior leaders, other groups have aided Hamas in creating a network in Gaza that supported the October 7 attack.
These groups include Iran and other Iranian-backed groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
According to the lawsuit, these entities “have a history of perpetrating terrorist attacks against American and other western civilian targets as well as Israeli civilian targets".
The 101 plaintiffs, comprising survivors of the October 7 attack and relatives of those killed, are seeking unspecified damages.
The UNRWA told The National that it is aware of reports of a lawsuit filed against it in the US.
But “as yet”, the UN agency has not been served with any legal process and, therefore, is not in a position to comment at this time.
The UN agency's commissioner general, Mr Lazzarini, warned on Monday against Israel's efforts to disband the crucial agency, which is a lifeline for Palestinians.
“Israel has long been critical of the agency’s mandate," he said.
"But it now seeks to end UNRWA’s operations, dismissing the agency’s status as a United Nations entity supported by an overwhelming majority of member states.
“If we do not push back, other UN entities and international organisations will be next, further undermining our multilateral system.”
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
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Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
THREE
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
