A former senior official of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Benjamin Davis, has alleged that he was dismissed last week for his efforts to bring attention to hunger in Gaza. Davis has initiated an appeal against his dismissal, claiming that the FAO leadership refused to renew his contract due to his team's publication of a report on hunger in Gaza and their organization of a seminar on the issue last year.
Background
Davis, who served the FAO for 26 years, stated that his involvement in weekly "moment of silence" vigils on FAO grounds for those who have died in Gaza also contributed to his dismissal. The seminar on hunger in Gaza, held in September 2022, reportedly led to a complaint from the Israeli mission to the FAO. The Israeli mission even sent a diplomat to photograph staff participating in the moment of silence gathering in October 2022.
Davis's Departure
At 62 years old, Davis, a dual citizen of Spain and the United States, left the FAO last week. Video footage captured FAO staff applauding him as he departed the Rome headquarters for the last time. Davis expressed gratitude for the support he received from colleagues, stating:
“"It’s a nice feeling that I’m not alone, that other people are behind me in this."
FAO Leadership's Response
The FAO did not respond to requests for comment, but the organization's director general, Qu Dongyu, appeared to reference Davis's dismissal in remarks made last Tuesday. He threatened to terminate more employees for what he described as political activism, stating:
