FAO Director Ben Davis announced that he was dismissed due to criticism of Gaza

Ben Davis, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), announced that his contract was not renewed after his 26-year term in the organization on the grounds that he drew attention to the hunger and famine situation in Gaza and criticized Israel.

Speaking to the French news agency AFP, Davis stated that he was notified of the decision in July for allegedly violating impartiality rules.

"They accused me of organizing these tributes to the hunger and famine situation in Gaza," Davis said, referring to the weekly silent protests organized by employees of the Rome-based organization.

Davis also noted that he faced reaction from the institution's management due to a report published in May focusing on the food situation and human rights law in Gaza.

Stating that the report in question was requested to be withdrawn, Davis said, "We were told to remove the report. We were not allowed to make any reference to humanitarian law."

"WE DO NOT PLAY THE HUMAN RIGHTS GAME HERE"

Addressing the organization's employees, FAO Director General Qu Dongyu included warnings for the staff in his public evaluation at the beginning of a video session on forestry.

"We won't let you play the human rights game here," Qu said.

Pointing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva in his statement, Qu said, "Of course, human rights are very important, but we have a human rights agency in Geneva. If you want to get involved, go there."

Claiming that he imposes sanctions on political attitudes within the institution, Qu said, "That's why I fire some senior members when they play political games here... You must comply with the FAO constitution... You are against the personnel regulations... But I am a very soft person, I have not fired that many people. If they break the law, I will fire more people."