his chances at re—election. hello, welcome to the programme. we begin with the crisis facing the un agency for palestinian refugees. several countries have paused funding for unwra, the latest to halt aid being germany, its second—largest donor. eight others, including the us and the uk, have suspended funding to the agency as well. this comes after the agency announced it sacked several staff members over allegations they were involved in the october 7th hamas attacks. the head of unrwa, philippe lazzarini, expressed shock at the suspension of funding, saying the decision to withhold those funds threatens the lives of people inside gaza

who depend on unrwa. let's take a closer look now at unrwa's role in gaza. the agency says it spends most of its funding, about 5a%, on education, including building and running schools in gaza — followed by health, 17%, and support services, 16%. it also provides emergency relief assistance, and since the recent conflict began, shelters for displaced palestinians. they are living in a war zone. unrwa is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. pledges to the agency totalled more than $1 billion in 2022. the us, germany, eu and sweden were the agency's largest individual donors that year, contributing to 61% of its overall funding. for more on the situation, i spoke to bonnie glick, a former deputy administrator of the united states agency for international development under the donald trump administration.

they have terminated contracts before the investigation was even completed. is added at action in your view?- action in your view? that is not enough _ action in your view? that is not enough action - action in your view? that is not enough action at - action in your view? that is not enough action at all. i not enough action at all. unrwa, as chris said, has as its mandate and as you laid out, education, hospitals and healthcare, but what has been uncovered through the last 113 days, since october seven, is a vast system of tunnels that hamas has built using assistance dollars that have come from donors, including through unrwa, to build these hundreds and hundreds of miles long tunnel systems that they are holding hostages in and that they are using for their commanding control. unrwa denies that. yes, they deny that. ., ., ., that. can i redo other statements _ that. can i redo other statements from - that. can i redo other. statements from unrwa that. can i redo other- statements from unrwa in relation to what has happened.

for leprosy or demiglace renee says any employee involved will be held accountable including under prosecution, condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks on october seven. of the abhorrent attacks on octoberseven. he of the abhorrent attacks on october seven. he went on to demand the release of statement.— demand the release of statement. , ., , statement. do you believe the statements? _ statement. do you believe the statements? i— statement. do you believe the statements? i don't _ statement. do you believe the statements? i don't believe i statement. do you believe the l statements? i don't believe the statement _ statements? i don't believe the statement. do _ statements? i don't believe the statement. do you _ statements? i don't believe the statement. do you think- statements? i don't believe the statement. do you think he - statements? i don't believe the statement. do you think he is l statement. do you think he is l in: ? statement. do you think he is l inc? i statement. do you think he is lying? i think— statement. do you think he is lying? i think he _ statement. do you think he is lying? i think he is _ lying? i think he is disingenuous. it has taken him until the moment of having his funding cut off for him to come out and condemn the attacks on october seven and for him to say that we will investigate what have been allegations for years and years against unrwa and its operation.— and its operation. unrwa has never shown _ and its operation. unrwa has never shown any _ and its operation. unrwa has never shown any support - and its operation. unrwa has never shown any support for l and its operation. unrwa has l never shown any support for the attacks of october seven. , not publicly yet on tuesday this week there will be a hearing in congress where the un watches being called as a witness to testify under oath that 3000

named employees of unrwa, in a telegram message system, all named, orwith telegram message system, all named, or with employee id numbers, all laid out, have been cheering the efforts of hamas, cheered and publicly supported the october seven massacres. unrwa denies all of these accusations and have also written letters to the state department, congress, saying there are safeguards in place to protect against some of the things you have laid out, some of the accusations against them. it is really important to be clear about that. it is also worth saying that we are talking about a few employees here, those are the ones that evidence was brought forward from israel and yet they have 13,000 employees in gaza. so, should the whole organisation be tarnished in that way by these few employees? look, under the — these few employees? look, under the trump _ these few employees? look, - under the trump administration, we cut all aid to unrwa. this is not something that has never

happened before in the history of time. we cut all aid because it is actually illegal for the united states to fund unrwa because the palestinians support a programme of pay to slay, where terrorists who have killed israelis and other civilians are paid lifetime salaries while they are in prison, ortheirfamilies salaries while they are in prison, or theirfamilies are prison, or their families are paid prison, or theirfamilies are paid annuities in perpetuity. in march 2018, the us congress passed the taylor force act in a bipartisan manner, which makes it illegalfor the united states to fund... flan makes it illegal for the united states to fund. . ._ states to fund... can i 'ust say the fi states to fund... can i 'ust say the biden i states to fund... can i just l say the biden administration did not agree with that assessment, that is why they started funding unrwa again. so, i really want to get to this point which is, taking everything that you have said into account as well as these denials, it is extremely difficult to get this

assistance to palestinians in gaza. they are facing a very serious food crisis. the war has meant there are many with no shelter, food, medical assistance. who is going to give that supportive it is not unrwa? fix, give that supportive it is not unrwa? �* , give that supportive it is not unrwa? ~ , , , give that supportive it is not unrwa? , , , , ., unrwa? a very simple question to answer- _ unrwa? a very simple question to answer. all— unrwa? a very simple question to answer. all of _ unrwa? a very simple question to answer. all of this _ unrwa? a very simple question to answer. all of this can - unrwa? a very simple question to answer. all of this can be - to answer. all of this can be ended when hamas surrenders and every single hostage is released.— every single hostage is released. , ., released. so should innocent palestinians _ released. so should innocent palestinians continue - released. so should innocent palestinians continue to - released. so should innocent. palestinians continue to suffer because of this? no humanitarian aid? ., , humanitarian aid? there are six american hostages _ humanitarian aid? there are six american hostages currently . american hostages currently being held in gaza by hamas. hamas could be turned over by gazan civilians and hamas leaders and surrender, put down their arms and release all of their arms and release all of the hostages. then the situation changes radically but until that moment, there cannot be any changes. 50 until that moment, there cannot be any changes-_ be any changes. so for interrupting, _ be any changes. so for interrupting, we - be any changes. so for interrupting, we are i be any changes. so for - interrupting, we are running out of time, but the icj has ordered israel to provide more humanitarian assistance to the palestinians in gaza and they

have one—month to report back. you think israel should ignore that order, palestinians should not receive, not only additional humanitarian aid, but whatever assistance they were getting from unrwa up until now?— until now? the international court ofjustice _ until now? the international court ofjustice as _ until now? the international court ofjustice as proven i until now? the international court ofjustice as proven it| court ofjustice as proven it is a kangaroo court, it even took up the issue that south africa presented to it of this being an israeli genocide. and at the end of the day, the genocide and the genocidal intent comes from hamas. and they have stated explicitly including all of their leaders, that this will continue, october seven was a start. it will go on and on and on. but ou will go on and on and on. but you don't _ will go on and on and on. but you don't think _ will go on and on and on. but you don't think there should be any differentiation between the civilian lives, because kamala harris has said too many innocent palestinians have been killed in this conflict. you disagree. can ijust add, 100 un workers have also been

killed, more than 100, more than any other conflict. tell me they're _ than any other conflict. tell me they're stashed - than any other conflict. tell me they're stashed it - than any other conflict. tell me they're stashed it israel asked to be attacked on october seven? the answer that is no. the responsibility of this lies 100% with hamas, including any pain and suffering befalling the palestinian people in gaza. 100% of that responsibility, as the white house has said, resides with hamas. mil the white house has said, resides with hamas. all right, thank you _ resides with hamas. all right, thank you so _ resides with hamas. all right, thank you so much _ resides with hamas. all right, thank you so much for- resides with hamas. all right, thank you so much for your i thank you so much for your time. we do appreciate it. live now to omar shakir — he's the israel and palestine directorfor human rights watch. omar, thank you so much for joining us. omar, from your perspective, do you understand why these allegations would be so severe that governments have decided to cut funding to unrwa?— decided to cut funding to unrwa? . , ., ., . unrwa? the decision to cut fundin: unrwa? the decision to cut funding to — unrwa? the decision to cut funding to unrwa _ unrwa? the decision to cut funding to unrwa is - unrwa? the decision to cut i funding to unrwa is shameful. these are serious allegations ijy these are serious allegations by the un responded to it

exactly the way one would respond to serious allegations. they immediately opened an investigation, they terminated the contracts of these employers, even before the investigation. in fact, countries around the world have praised unrwa's response to this attack. to cut funding— unrwa serve more than 5 million palestinian. there are more than 1.7 million displaced palestinians at unrwa shelter. their lives hang in the balance and unrwa is providing critical support. that governments have cut funding is akin to collective punishment— punishing not only institution thatis punishing not only institution that is 13,000 employees in gaza, but the hundreds of thousands, the millions that depend on unrwa for theirfood, education, for basic humanitarian aid. there is no justification for that decision.— justification for that decision. ., ., ., ' :: :: decision. omar, more than 1200 --eole decision. omar, more than 1200 people were _ decision. omar, more than 1200 people were killed _ decision. omar, more than 1200 people were killed on _ decision. omar, more than 1200 people were killed on october. people were killed on october seven. more than around to 140

people were taken hostage. several members of unrwa are now being investigated for their involvement in those attack. unrwa has found there was enough credibility in those accusations that they have terminated their contracts and are investigating it. what else would you expect governments to do? what we do expect unrwa to do? what we do expect unrwa to do? action has to be taken, doesn't it?— doesn't it? you have to distinguish _ doesn't it? you have to distinguish between i doesn't it? you have to - distinguish between individuals and institutions. the institution as soon as they became of allegations acted as anyone would in that situation. the october seven attacks were heinous, they involve more crimes, human rights watch and other groups have documented that. unrwa has condemned that. they investigated those accusations. we're talking about the heinous potential actions of 12 i mean, we're not talking here about a policy of an institution. immediately went and talked about previous issues and not the matter at

hand, from your previous gas. just yesterday the international court ofjustice found it plausible that israel is committing genocide in part because of their deprivation of critical aid and food to civilian population of gaza. unrwa is want of the few outlets are people in gaza have to get any assistance and on the heels of that, not hours later, governments are now cutting on aid to a government that plausibly could be committing genocide. they are instead cutting funding to the agency providing critical support for them. there is no justification for that. typically, israel has vehemently denied any intention orany vehemently denied any intention or any actions involving genocidal intent. would you agree though that israel has been arguing that the numbers, the anecdotes, the quotes coming out of unrwa need to be severely questioned?— severely questioned? look, (cross talk) _ severely questioned? look, (cross talk) one - severely questioned? look, | (cross talk) one moment, severely questioned? look, - (cross talk) one moment, (cross

talk)... considered here the evidence. they found the course plausible. it wasn't a ruling on merits, that will take years, but they put in place critical measures to protect palestinians from genocide. the story he is not unrwa. unrwa exist because palestinians were kicked out of their homes in 1948. you have 70% of gazan population that are refugee. unrwa could be disbanded the day that refugees have the rights to return to their homes that they were expelled or fled from in 1948. then unrwa does not need to be exist but as long as the palestinians refugees needed, in part responsible for the entire situation, as a duty to ensure they have school, that they have... ,, ,, �* they have school, that they have... ,,,, �* ~ �* have... (cross talk) we're runnina have... (cross talk) we're running out _ have... (cross talk) we're running out of _ have... (cross talk) we're running out of time. - have... (cross talk) we're running out of time. you - have... (cross talk) we're running out of time. you are right really differentiate between unrwa and innocent palestinian civilians. my question to you is, can you

understand why unrwa's credibility might be shot now that this is being investigated? unrwa is want to be only a few sources we have about what is going on in gaza. israel has been questioning that information for months. what, what credibility does unrwa have now moving forward? it has to be in the context of a years lymphocyte campaign against unrwa. under the trump administration there were campaigns to stop them. this is an effort to use's allegations against 12 as part of an attempt to undermine unrwa. the reality is the white house and many others question the death toll coming out of gaza and we have news reports from this week that the israeli intelligence services themselves rely on the death toll from the local authorities in gaza. this is not a question about... we know there is a catastrophe. the international court ofjustice recognise court of justice recognise that. court ofjustice recognise that. ourfocus needs to be on action to end those grave abuses, not to cut funding to

one of the few institutions providing vital support. it is heinous and has no justification.- heinous and has no justification. heinous and has no 'ustification. �* ., justification. right. and of course there _ justification. right. and of course there is _ justification. right. and of course there is a - justification. right. and of course there is a severe i course there is a severe humanitarian crisis continuing to unfold in gaza. thank you for your time. saturday marks international holocaust remembrance day and around the world people are urged to light a candle in a window to signal their opposition to hatred and prejudice. it is now 79 years since the liberation of auschwitz, where more than than 1.1 million people, most of them jews, were killed in gas chambers, or from starvation, cold or disease. in total, nearly 6 million europeanjews were murdered by the nazis during the holocaust. with me now is gil preuss, ceo of thejewish federation of greater washington. thank of greater washington. you so much forjoining me thank you so much forjoining me especially on a day like today. this is of course personal to your family history as well. you had family that

fled germany?— as well. you had family that fled germany? absolutely. my grandparents— fled germany? absolutely. my grandparents fled _ fled germany? absolutely. my grandparents fled germany i fled germany? absolutely. my grandparents fled germany in | grandparents fled germany in the summer of 1939, pretty close to the end date when they could get out and because of that they fled to bolivia which is actually the only country at the time that was accepting germanjewish refugees. and the time that was accepting german jewish refugees. and of course the _ german jewish refugees. and of course the back— german jewish refugees. and of course the back trip _ german jewish refugees. and of course the back trip to - german jewish refugees. and of course the back trip to all - course the back trip to all this is the war in gaza, the october seven attacked way more than 1200 people killed 240 people taken hostage. what is going through your mind of this year? going through your mind of this ear? . ., , , going through your mind of this ear? . , ., year? the october seven attacks brou:ht year? the october seven attacks brought back _ year? the october seven attacks brought back memories - year? the october seven attacks brought back memories for - year? the october seven attacks| brought back memories for many people, whether it was from eastern europe at the turn of the last century or the holocaust. one of the sayings, one of the chance is never again, in terms of the holocaust but these days they are saying never again is it now. that this was an effort by

hamas to murder as manyjews, as many israelis as possible and in fact the 1200 killed in october seven was the greatest number since the and of the holocaust monitored on a single day. in holocaust monitored on a single da . ,, ., , day. in the united states, the biden administration - day. in the united states, the biden administration had - biden administration had launched a programme to combat anti—semitism and the fbi has warned hate crimes have increased. how do you feel is someone living in the united states right now?— states right now? there has been incredible _ states right now? there has been incredible shock - states right now? there has been incredible shock since | states right now? there has i been incredible shock since the past three months. we saw the attacks in israel and soon after the rise of anti—semitism in college campuses, on local schools, on synagogues, against kosher restaurants and other jewish businesses and establishment in the us. there has been a sense of shock in

what is happening in this country and why people are attacking the jewish country and why people are attacking thejewish community so vehemently during this time as israel tries to defend itself from people who tried to mother them. itself from people who tried to motherthem. i itself from people who tried to mother them.— itself from people who tried to mother them. i want to bring up the icj ruling. — mother them. i want to bring up the icj ruling, the _ the icj ruling, the international holocaust remembrance day talks about tolerance and ending hate and that icj ruling has talked about humanitarian assistance for the palestinians who are suffering in gaza. what are your thoughts about that? absolutely. i was watching the icj ruling that morning when they were reading it out and i first understood that the legal definition is not the definition is not the definition that i understand of genocide. i think of millions of people murdered intentionally. 6 millionjews intentionally. 6 million jews intentionally. 6 millionjews in europe and their definition is very different and so that was the first thing. the second part is i do believe that

populations that are attacked should get humanitarian aid. i do worry about the suffering of people all over the world and i have a lot of sympathy and empathy for the palestinian people and the struggles they have. at the same time, we must also have the same level of understanding forjews and understanding for jews and israelis understanding forjews and israelis that they should have the right to also live in peace and that for me is one of the greatest things we need to be worried about today. irate greatest things we need to be worried about today.- worried about today. we are auoin to worried about today. we are going to and _ worried about today. we are going to and it _ worried about today. we are going to and it there - worried about today. we are going to and it there on - worried about today. we are going to and it there on thatj going to and it there on that message for peace. thank you so much for your time. to london, where king charles remains in the hospital for treatment on an enlarged prostate. it's not clear how long he'll be hospitalised, but he's said to be doing well following his procedure. the bbc�*s charlie rose has more. this is day two of the king's stay in hospital here at the london clinic after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

his wife, queen camilla, has been to visit him a number of times over the past couple of days — three, we think. the latest visit took place this afternoon. yesterday, she told reporters that her husband was doing well after the procedure. we have had a statement from buckingham palace saying his majesty would like to thank all those who sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness. it is unusual for buckingham palace to speak about the king's house in this way but apparently his majesty wanted to raise awareness and thatis wanted to raise awareness and that is exactly what has happened because of the nhs says it has seen a surge in the number of men going to its website, seeking help and advice and information on enlarged prostate. now, the latest information here is that

king charles is expected to spend the rest of the night here in hospital and tomorrow, too, perhaps, when we may have another visit from queen camilla. the next republican primary for the 2024 presidential nomination is still a few weeks away, and the two remaining candidates, former president donald trump, and former un ambassador nikki haley, are both out campaigning. president trump held a rally in nevada, just a day after he appeared in a manhattan court where he was ordered by a jury to pay writer ejean carroll more than $80 million for defamatory statements. nikki haley is also out campaigning in her home state of south carolina, hoping to salvage her longshot bid for the presidency by turning it all around in the primary there next month. president biden is also on the campaign trail, already looking ahead to a general election where the democratic incumbent could face some problems. we've spoken a lot about questions surrounding president biden's age, but that may not be the only worry for the biden campaign.

a wall streetjournal piece reports that senior aides within his admistration are worried that the president's support for israel amid the war in gaza could hurt his re—election prospects. and one of the authors of that article sabrina siddiqui joins me now. could you explain what he aides are worried about and what they are worried about and what they are urging biden to do about it? ~ are urging biden to do about it? . ., , are urging biden to do about it? ~ ., , . it? we have seen in recent weeks, — it? we have seen in recent weeks, president - it? we have seen in recent weeks, president biden i it? we have seen in recent| weeks, president biden has it? we have seen in recent- weeks, president biden has been disrupted at many of his events by pro—palestinian activists. at one of his campaign event in virginia this past week, almost a dozen times or so, that he almost struggled to deliver the speech because he was drowned out by these protesters and i think what they are seeing is a lot of anger and frustration not just lot of anger and frustration notjust among arab and muslim voters and the president's handling of the crisis in gaza, but younger voters, the

constituency that they need to support the president in november. they do not think of these voters are going to vote for president trump up they worried what if they stayed home and how do they bring them back into the fold and try and respond to this anger and frustration that they are seeing. frustration that they are seeina. �* frustration that they are seeina. a” _ frustration that they are seeinu. ,, seeing. appalled by cbs illustrates _ seeing. appalled by cbs illustrates what - seeing. appalled by cbs illustrates what you're l seeing. appalled by cbs - illustrates what you're talking about, joe biden's handling of the war and how it is viewed in the war and how it is viewed in the cross section of the population. 61% disapprove of it. could you explain that general sentiment amongst the population? i general sentiment amongst the population?— population? i do think president _ population? i do think president biden - population? i do think president biden has i population? i do think i president biden has low approval ratings across the board and we need to take that into account when you look at any one issue but the challenge for president biden is the majority of american voters still do support israel and believe that israel is taking appropriate action to defend itself but within the

democratic party that is where you are seeing this growing rift. we have had a poll where nearly half of democrat think israel's actions are disproportionate and you see in general more sympathy for palestinians if you look generationally within the democratic party. again, it is about a president already struggling with some of these groups, including young voters were not enthusiastic about his campaign. is this yet another issue that could cost him? some may say this wobble look different in november, there is a time, —— war. but with this level of anger, there is concern that it is becoming more salient within the campaign and on top of the dissatisfaction with their choices. and it could hurt the president. i5 choices. and it could hurt the president-— president. is this something that president _ president. is this something that president biden - president. is this something that president biden could l president. is this something - that president biden could have predicted? how have democrats

generally felt about the support for israel?- support for israel? the democratic _ support for israel? the democratic party - support for israel? the democratic party is - support for israel? the | democratic party is also supportive of israel in an overall sense and that has not changed. i think the challenge here, festival it took a bit of time for president biden and his administration's trying to shift in terms of speaking more empathetically toward the palestinian people and being more sharp in the criticism of israel and they need to minimise civilian casualties but the biggest problem is the people who are angry about gaza, whether it is arab and muslim voters, young voters or others, they do not want a shift in tone but a shift in policy. they want the president to embrace shift fire and at least condition it into israel. stop approving these arms exports to israel that have not gone through congress, through

all the appropriate oversight. these are all the criticisms they are facing and i do not know, i think a lot of the advisors i talk to, when they pointed the shift in tone, when i talk to the voters and activists, do not know that the shift in tone is enough to win them over, they want a shift in policy and it does not look like they are going to get that. in like they are going to get that. ,., . ~ like they are going to get that. . ,, .,, , ., that. in the back drop is a republican _ that. in the back drop is a republican race. - that. in the back drop is a republican race. what - that. in the back drop is a i republican race. what would this mean for president biden? is there a candidate he is leaning more towards? when it comes to the — leaning more towards? when it comes to the republican - leaning more towards? when it comes to the republican race, | comes to the republican race, what you have seen is... i comes to the republican race, what you have seen is. . .- what you have seen is... i am so sorry. _ what you have seen is... i am so sorry. i— what you have seen is... i am so sorry, ithink— what you have seen is... i am so sorry, i think we're - what you have seen is... i am| so sorry, i think we're running out of time unfortunately. thank so much. hello there. saturday brought quite a bit of sunshine to england and wales. a dry day for many, and a lovely end to the day here in north somerset. further north, though, for northern ireland and scotland, the day turned out to be quite windy and we did have a fair bit

of cloud coming in off the atlantic, associated with the jet stream pattern. well, thisjet stream pattern for sunday is going to be bringing a very mild air mass across the uk and we could well see some exceptional temperatures across northern areas of scotland through sunday afternoon, as we will see in just a moment. before we get there, though, the southerly wind at the moment is bringing occasional patches of drizzle to coast and hills for scotland and for northern ireland, although many areas will stay dry and have a dry start to the day on sunday. mild across the northwest. we've got the cooler air across england and wales. a few mist patches to start the day on sunday. quickly clearing, and then a lovely morning for most of you. into the afternoon, though, a cold front will bring a spell of rain to northern ireland and western scotland, and some very strong winds working into the hebrides and the north—west of the highlands. 60mph, maybe 70mph, gusts here, but on the other side of the mountains, helped on by the fern effect, we could see temperatures get boosted all the way up to maybe as high as 16 celsius — well above the average for this part of the world. and the uk all—timejanuary temperature record stands

at 18.3 celsius, so 16 wouldn't be that far away from that. although we don't see those dizzy heights across england and wales, it is going to be a mild day nationwide. now, looking at the weather picture into monday, we keep the mild air across england and wales, but further north, the air�*s getting colder across scotland and northern ireland. between the two, we have got a band of rain. it looks like being quite wet across this area, with 20mm to 40mm of rain. could see a few flakes of snow over the highest hills of the southern uplands. colder weather pushing back into scotland and northern ireland. i say colder, actually, temperatures are coming back closer to average. but across england and wales, still very mild. temperatures could reach 15 degrees in the warmest spots. heading into tuesday, that area of low pressure is working away. a ridge of high pressure follows in for a time from the west, so the cloud will thin and break and many of us will have a day where the weather will improve and get brighter with a bit more in the way of sunshine coming through. temperatures near average across northern areas, still on the mild side for east anglia and southeast england.

the rest of the week ahead, often quite wet and windy at times in the north, dry and bright largely in the south. goodbye for now.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme.

i love hunting down bad guys and ending them. we wanted to make a statement, hence the choice to use a detonator and a bomb. you had people sitting on the street, drinking chai. you had al-qaeda on every street corner. as soon as the vehicle stops, the doors open and it's showtime. would you say that it was a successful operation? yes. yemen's armed factions have an impact throughout

the middle east and beyond, most recently as the houthi