'Complicit in war crimes': FM Katz slams UN's Guterres for mourning UNRWA terrorist

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, also issued a rare condemnation of the UN agency, saying UNRWA 'is deliberately perpetuating the problem' of Palestinian refugees in the Middle East

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has slammed United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for mourning the death of a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) terrorist, calling him "complicit in war crimes".

In a statement on Friday, Guterres extended his condolences to the family and colleagues of UNRWA staff member Fadi al-Batsh, who was killed in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin during an Israeli raid.

But Lapid condemned Guterres' statement, saying that al-Batsh was "a known terrorist" who was involved in planning attacks against Israelis.

"By mourning the death of a terrorist, the UN is complicit in war crimes," Lapid said.

He added that Guterres "should be ashamed of himself" for making such a statement.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, also issued a rare condemnation of UNRWA, saying the agency "is deliberately perpetuating the problem" of Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.

In a statement on Friday, Blinken said that UNRWA "has failed to adapt to the changing circumstances on the ground" and that its "mandate is outdated".

He added that the US will continue to work with UNRWA to improve its operations, but he said that the agency needs to "change its approach" if it wants to continue receiving US funding.

The US is the largest donor to UNRWA, providing the agency with $360 million in 2022.

Israel has long accused UNRWA of being biased against Israel and of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee problem.

In 2018, the US cut its funding to UNRWA by $300 million, citing the agency's "fundamental deficiencies".

The UN has defended UNRWA, saying that it provides essential services to Palestinian refugees.

The agency says that it is "committed to neutrality and impartiality" and that it "rejects any suggestion" that it is biased against Israel.