US/World News

Israel won’t release worker accused of aiding Hamas

(JNS.org) Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon rejected a request by the U.N. for the release of an employee arrested in July for allegedly aiding the Ha-mas terror group in Gaza. The U.N. Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) sent a letter to Danon requesting the release of Wahid Abdallah al Bursh, an engineer in the U.N.’s Develop-ment Program (UNDP), claiming that diplomatic immunity applies to all U.N. employees. UNDP also requested that a representative of the U.N. secretary-general be allowed to visit the man in jail. Danon denied OLA’s request, saying in a statement, “Israel rejects the claim that a person assisting a terrorist organization recognized by the international community, such as Hamas, could enjoy immunity.” Bursh has been indicted in a Beersheba District Court for using his position as a U.N. worker to aid Hamas in their military efforts. Israel’s security agency, the Shin Bet, said Bursh, 38, was recruited by Hamas in 2014 and helped build a naval commando port for Hamas military use in the Gaza Strip. The U.N. claimed that the Palestinian Authority directed the project, not Hamas.

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