THE Scottish Government has issued a response after the UK Government announced it was pausing its funding of the UN's relief agency after Israel claimed that 12 employees were involved in the October 7 attack.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Friday it sacked "several" employees over the accusations, with the Foreign Office pulling funding "whilst we review these concerning allegations".
A Scottish Government spokesperson said, meanwhile, that they are "deeply concerned" by the allegations.
They added: “We note the statement by the UNRWA Commissioner General, of the immediate action already taken by UNRWA to dismiss these employees and to launch a full investigation. Also the assurance by UNRWA that any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution."
Last year, Humza Yousaf announced that the Scottish Government provided £750,000 to the UN's relief agency to provide access to food, water, shelter and medical supplies to much needed Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in the enclave.
The spokesperson said that, given this funding, they have been "in direct touch" with UNRWA.
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"We have no plans to provide further support to UNRWA at this stage," they added.
“These allegations are particularly concerning at a time when the international community must continue to find mechanisms to maintain, and increase the levels of life-saving aid getting into Gaza.”
Tommy Sheppard, meanwhile, slammed the UK Government decision as "outrageous".
In a post on Twitter/X, the SNP MP said: "It’s like stopping funding the NHS because a nurse has been accused of murder. It will add to the misery of innocent Palestinians and prevent humanitarian assistance."
As well as the UK and US, Australia, Italy and Canada have also temporarily paused funding for UNRWA.
Ireland, meanwhile, has said they have "no plans" to suspend funding.
The country’s deputy premier, Micheal Martin, said he backed the decision by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to take action against those staff suspected of involvement in what he described as the “heinous” attacks by Hamas.
However, he made clear Ireland did not intend to follow the likes of the US and UK in suspending funding to the agency.
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