Philippe Lazzarini, the Swiss head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), is leaving after a bruising term defined by the Gaza war and sustained attacks on the agency. On his way out, he takes aim at Switzerland’s stance. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox “There is anger, bitterness and sadness,” Lazzarini told Swiss public broadcaster RTS. “For the past two years, UNRWA has been the target of relentless attacks.” He has led the UN agency, which provides key services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, since 2020. Nearly 400 UNRWA staff members have been killed in Gaza, and around 80% of the agency’s infrastructure there has been destroyed. Israel has also banned UNRWA from operating in East Jerusalem and seized its headquarters. “We saw members of the Israeli government celebrating, even though these are places protected under international law,” Lazzarini said. 'Destroying UNRWA has become a political goal' Beyond ...
