"An UNRWA teacher held my mother in the attic": The testimony at the UN - and the agency's "reform"

Neta Heiman-Mina, daughter of former hostage Ditza Heiman, testified before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, describing how her mother was held for 48 days in the attic of an UNRWA teacher. Meanwhile, a UN Watch report claims UNRWA implemented at most 13 out of 50 required reforms, contradicting its reports of completing 41.

Neta Heiman-Mina, daughter of former hostage Ditza Heiman, testified today (Tuesday) before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. She recounted that her mother, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz at age 84 on October 7, 2023, was held for 48 days in the attic of an UNRWA teacher, under harsh conditions with very little food. Heiman-Mina criticized the continued funding and support for UNRWA, asking how the UN could entrust the education of the next generation in Gaza to a person involved in holding an elderly woman hostage. She clarified that she is not calling for an end to essential services for Gaza residents, but rather for finding alternatives to UNRWA. Meanwhile, a UN Watch report claims UNRWA implemented at most 13 of the 50 reform recommendations set following the Colonna review, contrary to its statement of completing 41. UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer accused UNRWA of "grading its own homework" and presenting an exaggerated picture of the reforms.

"An UNRWA teacher held my mother in the attic": The testimony at the UN - and the agency's "reform"