The external affairs ministry on Thursday sidestepped a question on whether India was considering a cutback in its contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in view of Israel’s allegations that some of its employees were involved in the October 7 terror strike by the Hamas.

Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said: “India is an important development partner of Palestine. We have been extending assistance to them both bilaterally and through the United Nations.

“But at the same time, we have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
And, in this regard, we are deeply concerned about the allegations that the UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 terror attacks. We also welcome investigations launched by the United Nations in this regard.”

Seventeen western countries besides the European Union have suspended
funding to the UNRWA since Israel made these allegations soon after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) interim order asking Tel Aviv to take all measures to prevent genocide.

India has avoided commenting on the verdict till date. Asked for a reaction at the weekly briefing today, all that Jaiswal said was that India has taken note of the ICJ’s provisional measures.