In a poignant demonstration of solidarity, hundreds of United Nations staff gathered outside the European headquarters in Geneva on September 18, 2025, to denounce the killings of their colleagues in Gaza since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. The protest, marked by placards reading ‘Peace for Gaza’ and ‘Not a Target,’ also featured the laying of 370 white roses—a somber tribute to each UN aid worker lost in the nearly two-year war. Nathalie Meynet, president of the UN refugee agency staff council, emphasized the urgency of the protest, stating, ‘Enough is enough. We cannot kill our colleagues in Gaza with such impunity.’
The event, however, has sparked significant controversy. Both the United States and Israel have lodged formal complaints with UN leadership, accusing the organization of breaching its principle of impartiality. In a letter dated September 10, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, criticized the protest as politically charged and called for disciplinary action against participants. Similarly, US Charge d’Affaires Tressa Finerty condemned the event, labeling it a ‘grave violation of the UN’s principle of neutrality’ and alleging systemic anti-Israel bias within the organization.
Amid these tensions, UN management has reiterated the importance of neutrality. A confidential memo issued on September 17 reminded staff to avoid activities perceived as political, warning of potential risks to the organization’s integrity. Despite these directives, many UN employees remain outraged by the scale of the losses and the perceived failure to uphold humanitarian law. Yousra Ahmed, a UN staff worker at the protest, asserted, ‘It’s not a question of neutrality. I’m just outraged that the rules of the United Nations and humanitarian law are not being applied.’
The protest and subsequent backlash underscore the deepening rift between the UN and its largest funder, the US, which has previously disengaged from the UN Human Rights Council over allegations of anti-Israel bias. With over 543 aid workers killed in Gaza, including 373 UN staff members, the conflict has exacted an unprecedented toll on the organization’s humanitarian efforts. As the UN grapples with these challenges, the balance between neutrality and advocacy remains a contentious issue.