Le Figaro Marseille
The city of Marseille will indeed pay 80,000 euros to UNRWA as it voted during the last municipal council,
Le Figaro
learned from the town hall, confirming information from
La Provence
.
Last week, the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, initially suspended this decision in view of the controversies surrounding this UN agency responsible for helping civilians in Gaza.
As a reminder, on January 26, UNRWA announced the dismissal of several employees accused by Israel of having participated in the killings by Hamas of October 7, 2023.
The former socialist finally decided to reinforce his initial decision, arguing that he was following the position of the French state on this sensitive issue.
On February 2, during a press briefing, the transcription of which is online, the deputy spokesperson for the Quai d'Orsay affirmed that France is not suspending its support for UNRWA.
Before qualifying:
“We simply recalled that, technically,
they
(payments from France to UNRWA, Editor's note)
are made throughout the year, and that we had no payment planned for the quarter of 2024 .”
“That being said, taking into account the situation at UNRWA, and in particular the declarations of its Commissioner General, we demand strong measures from the United Nations agency, after the extremely serious revelations which occurred at the end last week, continues this source. We will not hesitate, if necessary, to reassess our contributions, in conjunction with the United Nations.”
Read alsoIn Israel's sights, UNRWA plays for its survival
“The mayor gave in to pressure”
This decision by the former socialist scandalizes the leader of the opposition in the municipal council.
“When we saw the mayor of Marseille suspend this subsidy, we said to ourselves that he had followed reason,”
says municipal councilor LR Catherine Pila.
What made the mayor of Marseille give in was his ultra-left majority and the meetings he was also able to have with pro-Palestinian groups.
I think the decision he made is not a wise decision.”
And Catherine Pila justifies:
“In today's circumstances, we should have exercised caution.
And the prudence was to wait until things were cleaned up on the UNRWA side and until the international community could be reassured on the question of the members of this association who were terrorists.
The mayor of Marseille gave in to pressure.
He showed excitement.
This decision is not something honorable for the mayor of the second largest city in France.”
This Monday, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to head a review group on UNRWA.