UN’s Mideast coordinator Robert Serry denies he sought to transfer funds to Hamas

UN’s Mideast coordinator Robert Serry denies he sought to transfer funds to Hamas. (TOI).

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, on Saturday denied allegations that he had been trying to transfer funds to Hamas. 

Serry’s denial came in response to a report earlier in the evening that Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman intends to expel the Jerusalem-based Middle East official for seeking to transfer tens of millions of dollars of funds to the terror group.

Serry acknowledged in a statement released Saturday night that he was on a visit to Qatar a few weeks ago but denied that talks of a UN role in the payment of salaries in Gaza — an issue described in the statement as having “potentially destabilizing effects on security in Gaza,” and seemingly the basis on which Liberman made his allegations – took place.

Serry said he was approached by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on the matter but made it clear that the UN “would only be able to be of assistance if acceptable to all stakeholders, including Israel.”

The UN official added that the information was “immediately shared with Israeli authorities at the working level” and that Israel reacted negatively.

Earlier Saturday, Israeli media reported that Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman intended to expel Serry for seeking to transfer tens of millions of dollars of funds to Hamas, Israeli television reported Saturday night.

Liberman was set to seek the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the move and have him declared persona non grata, Channel 2 said. 

The report added that Liberman would discuss the move, which could place Israel on a collision course with the world body, with officials at his ministry on Sunday.

Liberman was reported to have long regarded Serry as biased against Israel.

The TV report said that Serry has been seeking relentlessly to transfer funds to Hamas in Gaza, to the immense displeasure of Liberman. Israel, the US and others designate the Islamic extremist Hamas, which is formally committed to the destruction of Israel, as a terrorist organization.

According to the report, Serry initially sought to arrange the transfer of $20 million to Hamas in Gaza, from Qatar, via Abbas’s PA, but he was rebuffed.

He then asked Israel to facilitate the transfer, but was again rejected. Finally, he has reportedly been suggesting that the UN itself take the money from Qatar and then transfer it to Hamas in Gaza.

The TV report said Liberman considered Serry’s actions to mark an effort to legitimize Hamas.Hmmm.......I'm sure Turkey will 'solve' Hamas and Qatar their 'Financial' problems very soon.