Terrorist organizations in Palestinian-controlled areas, as
well as in Syria and Lebanon, take advantage of United
Nations (UNRWA) workers and their vehicles, which have
authorization to pass IDF checkpoints without inspection, to
transport arms and terrorists, according to a report by
Israeli defense officials. The report confirms general
charges long made by Israeli authorities that UN workers side
with the Palestinians against Israel.
Tensions between Israel and the UN rose when it was revealed
only some months ago that UN workers had filmed events
leading to the capture of three IDF soldiers two years ago.
The films were not made available to Israel in any way until
international pressure was brought. Israel has also
complained that terrorists operate freely in refugee camps
run by the UN such as in Jenin. Walls are decorated with
large photographs of known terrorists.
The new report says that Palestinians in Israeli custody
admitted using UNRWA facilities, equipment, and vehicles to
assist them in carrying out terror attacks. UNRWA personnel
are able to travel in Israel and Palestinian Authority-
controlled areas, as well as in Lebanon, Syria, and
elsewhere, without security checks.
The report focuses on UNRWA employee Nahed Rashid Ahmed
Attalah, 38, a resident of Jabaliyah in the Gaza Strip, who
was arrested last August by security forces as he returned
from Egypt. After his arrest Attalah admitted to
investigators that he used his car to transport terrorists
and arms.
Attalah first began working for UNRWA in 1987 as a director
of food supplies for Gaza Strip refugees. He was provided
with a UN vehicle and issued a UN pass that entitled him to
unrestricted travel in the region in connection with his
duties.
Attalah told investigators that he was repeatedly asked by
officials of Fatah's Popular Resistance Committee to drive
them in his UN car since it was not subject to IDF
inspections. He also made use of his laissez-passer to travel
to Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria where he contacted officials of
the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, received
funds, and transferred arms.
Attalah is currently on trial on eight counts including
aiding terrorist activities, conspiring to trade in arms,
assisting in attempted premeditated murder, and possessing
illegal arms. He was indicted last September, and in February
this year the IDF military court of appeals decided to extend
his detention until the end of the legal proceedings against
him.
