ISTANBUL

The Israeli government has been accused of purchasing Google ads to discredit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and discourage donations, according to a statement made by the agency's commissioner-general on Saturday.

Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce what he described as a "misinformation campaign" by Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. "The spread of misinformation and disinformation continues to be used as a weapon in the war in Gaza," Lazzarini stated.

He accused the Israeli government of buying Google ads in an effort to block users from donating to the agency and to carry out a defamation campaign against UNRWA. "UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organization responding to the crisis in Gaza," Lazzarini noted, stressing that the campaign not only damages the agency’s reputation but also endangers the lives of its staff.

Lazzarini called for an end to these "deliberate efforts" to spread misinformation and urged for an investigation into the matter. He also criticized companies, including social media platforms, for profiting from the dissemination of disinformation, underscoring the need for stronger regulations to combat these practices.

Israel has long sought the closure of UNRWA, which is the only UN agency specifically mandated to address the basic needs of Palestinian refugees. Established by a UN resolution in 1949, UNRWA provides assistance and protection to refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the occupied West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi