After 26 years... Dismissal of a UN official for criticizing hunger and Israeli policies in Gaza

A senior official at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that he lost his job after 26 years due to his criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza. Ben Davis, Director of the Rural Transformation Division, was informed in July that his contract would not be renewed on the grounds of violating neutrality. This coincided with warnings from FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu to his staff against engaging in human rights activities, threatening to dismiss violators.

A senior official at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that he lost his job after 26 years of service due to his criticism of Israeli policies in the Gaza Strip. Ben Davis, Director of the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, was informed in July that his contract would not be renewed, under the pretext of violating neutrality rules. Davis explained that he was accused of organizing silent vigils to protest the conditions of hunger and famine in Gaza, weekly protests organized by staff members of the organization. He also faced criticism for his involvement in preparing a report on food availability in Gaza and international humanitarian law, published in May, and said the organization's management requested the report be deleted and prevented any references to international humanitarian law. The revelation of his case coincided with statements by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, who warned staff against engaging in human rights activities, saying the organization does not allow "playing the human rights game," and threatening to dismiss violators. Davis believes that Dongyu's statements target him, noting that the Director-General publicly reprimanded him and accused him of being "too political." The case reflects the debate within UN institutions about the limits of expressing positions on humanitarian situations and international law, especially regarding the war on Gaza.