Norwegian Member of Parliament Asmund Aukrust has sparked controversy by expressing his intention to nominate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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This proposal comes at a contentious time for the organization, as it faces widespread criticism globally.
Aukrust defended his decision, citing UNRWA's "long-term effort to provide vital support to Palestine and the wider region." He said that the organization has played a crucial role as the largest humanitarian body in Gaza for decades, serving as a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.
The nomination, however, is receiving backlash due to recent events. UNRWA has faced severe criticism worldwide for the alleged involvement of its employees in the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas in Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip. Many countries have since announced freezes or cessation of funding to UNRWA in response to the allegations.
Aukrust, a member of the Norwegian Labor Party and the vice-chairman of the parliament's foreign affairs committee in Oslo, addressed the criticism by stating that he decided to submit UNRWA's candidacy due to "the work it has done over the years" in providing support to the Palestinians.
The controversy deepened as claims emerged that Israel intentionally withheld incriminating information about UNRWA before the involvement of its personnel in the Oct. 7 attacks was revealed.
Some politicians argued that Jerusalem had been aware of the details for weeks but chose not to disclose them to avoid worsening the situation in Gaza.
This article was first published by i24NEWS
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