A United Nations staff member, currently hospitalized in Israel after being injured in a booby trap attack in Gaza, has been found to have two prominent pro-Nazi tattoos, according to a source familiar with the situation. The employee, who was initially treated at a hospital in Gaza, was later transferred to Israel for further medical care.
The United Nations has attributed the attack to Israel, although Israel does not operate in that area of Gaza, and the source suggests that the attack was likely set by Hamas. One of the tattoos on the employee’s arm features the phrase “my honor is loyalty” in German, which the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) identifies as the motto of the Waffen SS. The ADL notes that this phrase is often used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists as a hate slogan. The other tattoo reportedly depicts the face of an SS soldier or officer, complete with a Nazi hat and symbols.
At this time, it remains unclear whether the staff member is conscious or aware of his surroundings, as well as the specific role he holds at the United Nations. However, it is understood that he is affiliated with the U.N. Mine Action Service.
In response, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, confirmed awareness of the tattoos but declined to provide further details. “Our focus right now is getting medical care for the wounded people,” Haq stated.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, called for a thorough investigation into the incident. In a letter to Guterres, Danon condemned the presence of antisemitic expressions among U.N. staff and emphasized the need for actions to remove such hate from the organization. He also expressed deep concern, noting that the U.N. was founded in the aftermath of World War II to prevent the rise of Nazi ideology.
Hillel Neuer, executive director of U.N. Watch, suggested that the incident was not isolated, citing ongoing concerns about antisemitism within the U.N. He pointed to Francesca Albanese, a U.N. human rights investigator who has faced criticism for antisemitic statements, as an example of the issue.
Israel has also accused the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of having staff members involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel and of connections to Palestinian terror groups. Some Jewish employees of the U.N. have anonymously reported feeling pressured to conceal their identity out of fear of antisemitic sentiment within the organization.
The U.N. Mine Action Service, established in 1997, works to eliminate the threats posed by mines and explosive remnants of war, and is part of the U.N. Department of Peace Operations.
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