United Nations agency says it is handling code of conduct violations by staffer for anti-Israel posts internally

Geneva-based advocacy group UN Watch reported that Sarah Douglas, the deputy chief of UN Women’s peace and security office, had endorsed 153 posts on social media since Hamas ‘ October 7 attacks in southern Israel that exposed her partisan views about the war in Gaza.

The United Nations (UN) agency promoting equality for women said on January 5 that violations of the UN Code of Conduct requiring impartiality by a mid-level manager, who reportedly supported pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli posts on social media, are being dealt with internally.

Last month, the Geneva-based advocacy group UN Watch, which often criticises anti-Israel actions at the United Nations, reported that Sarah Douglas, the deputy chief of UN Women's peace and security office, had endorsed 153 posts on social media since Hamas ' October 7 attacks in southern Israel that exposed her partisan views about the war in Gaza.

UN Watch's Executive Director Hillel Neuer posted on X, formerly Twitter, some examples including posts that accused Israel of “genocide” and celebrated shutting down bridges and highways for pro-Palestinian campaigns and rallies.

After UN Watch publicised the posts, Mr. Neuer said Ms. Douglas deleted her social media accounts, and the group has screenshots of her posts.

Last week, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said when asked about Ms. Douglas' posts: “I understand there was a violation of the Code of Conduct by this individual.” Ms. Douglas has not commented on her social media posts.

UN Watch said a campaign it launched on Instagram and X demanding that Ms. Douglas be fired had received nearly 5,000 signatures by December 27. Two U.S. senators, Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, and Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, have also called on UN Women to fire her.