€50,000 for Gaza: In Lyon, the choice to finance UNRWA raises questions among the opposition
Called upon to vote for a €50,000 grant to UNRWA, part of the opposition to the mayor of Lyon was moved by such a decision, in light of the accusations made against this UN agency operating in Gaza.
Faced with the "unbearable tragedy " unfolding in Gaza, the Lyon city council adopted a resolution this Thursday approving a €50,000 grant to UNRWA, the UN agency operating in Gaza. " Nothing can justify the forced displacement and deprivation inflicted on millions of civilians (...) We have no right to indifference ," said Green mayor Grégory Doucet.
On Tuesday, the CRIF sent him an open letter requesting the adjournment of this deliberation , on the grounds that " many (UNRWA) agents are undeniably affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad ." These statements echo the accusations made by Israel in 2024. " An independent investigation conducted by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna for the United Nations did not establish a link between UNRWA and Hamas ," recalled the mayor of Lyon, maintaining that the agency " carries out essential work in extremely difficult conditions ."
Following a parallel internal investigation, the UN also decided to dismiss nine employees who " may have been involved " in these attacks. France, like many Western countries, subsequently reaffirmed its support for UNRWA on several occasions. It provided €30 million in aid to the UN agency in 2024 at a time when it was struggling, while around fifteen countries had temporarily suspended their payments following Israel's accusations.
Romain Billard, advisor to the Right, Centre and Independents group
These arguments failed to convince the opposition, particularly the Pour Lyon et Droite, Centre and Independent groups, who decided to vote against this resolution. Councillor Romain Billard, for example, does not blame the mayor for releasing funds for Gaza, but believes that " the issue is the recipient ." " There are doubts and concerns about this recipient. We have already voted for aid for Gaza; that is not the issue. We are asking that this money be paid to an organization that poses no problems ," he declared.
" I am shocked by this decision, in favor of an organization that is highly controversial due to the documented involvement of some of its agents in the pogrom of October 7 ," said Jean-Dominique Durand, even more critically. The councilor also criticized the decision, which he considers " unbalanced ," like the President of the Region, who accused Grégory Doucet of adding fuel to the fire .
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" Not a word about our Israeli twin city of Beersheba, which was just hit by an Iranian missile ," he continued. While he did not respond on this point, the mayor of Lyon did write to the Israeli mayor. The city, with which Lyon has been twinned for nearly 50 years, was heavily hit, including a hospital. Lyon Capitale was able to consult the letter sent by Grégory Doucet to his counterpart, in which he expressed his " sadness " and " condolences " and the city's " sincere support ," while several people died in this bombing.
In this letter, the Green mayor calls for " a strong reaffirmation of our commitment to the principles of the Geneva Convention ." " May respect for life and international law guide the return to serenity ," he concluded. In the chamber, Grégory Doucet dismissed the criticism, stating that " choosing UNRWA is a demonstration of common sense and pragmatism ." " Today, UNRWA is one of the organizations whose capacity to intervene in Gaza is guaranteed ," he concluded.
Read also: Lyon: City Hall to donate €50,000 to UNRWA to support the people of Gaza
Lyon Capitale
