UN pushes for immunity for UNRWA staff linked to Oct. 7 massacre

In an official document filed in a U.S. court, the United Nations, with support from the U.S. Department of Justice, argued that UNRWA employees allegedly involved in the October 7 massacre are immune from legal action, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 News reported Saturday evening.

The document asserts that due to the UN's immunity, employees of UNRWA, its subsidiary agency, are shielded from prosecution. "Since the UN has not waived immunity in this instance, UNRWA continues to enjoy absolute immunity from prosecution, and the lawsuit should be dismissed," the UN’s response stated.

The U.S. Department of Justice supported this stance, stating, "The plaintiff’s complaint does not present a legal basis for claiming that the United Nations waived its immunity. As such, because the UN has not waived its immunity in this case, UNRWA retains full immunity, and the lawsuit should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction."

Channel 12 emphasized that this position creates a significant legal obstacle for the victims and their families, who must now prove that immunity should be revoked to pursue justice against those allegedly involved in the massacre.