6 days ago
Former UN food official challenges dismissal over Gaza activism
Benjamin Davis used to be a senior worker at the United Nations food agency.
He says he was fired because he spoke about hunger in Gaza.
The agency’s documents said he may have broken rules requiring workers to remain impartial.
Davis says that accusation is wrong and that he was not given a fair process.
He joined other employees in moments of silence for people facing hunger in Gaza.
He also wrote a report about food supplies there.
FAO leader Qu Dongyu accused an unnamed employee of playing politics, which appeared to refer to this dispute.
Davis is now asking an internal appeals system to review his dismissal.
Benjamin Davis says he appealed his dismissal from the Food and Agriculture Organization, alleging it was linked to his stance on hunger in Gaza.
FAO documents cited alleged breaches of international civil service standards requiring staff impartiality; Davis rejected the allegations.
Davis, a senior FAO director for 26 years, was told his employment would end on September 30 at Director-General Qu Dongyu’s request.
He joined staff moments of silence for Gaza hunger victims and authored a May 2025 report on food availability in the Palestinian enclave.
The case has entered the FAO’s internal justice process and could later reach a United Nations tribunal.
- Who
- Benjamin Davis, a former senior director at the Food and Agriculture Organization, and FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.
- What
- Davis is challenging his dismissal and alleges it was motivated by his activism and views about hunger in Gaza.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome and hunger conditions in Gaza.
- When
- Davis was told his employment would end on September 30; the dispute became public in early October. He joined Gaza moments of silence in 2025, and authored a related report in May 2025.
- Why
- Davis says he was disciplined for speaking about the right to food, while documents cited alleged violations of staff impartiality standards.
Davis’s position
FAO leadership’s stated position
Reason for dismissal
Davis’s position
Davis alleges his dismissal was motivated by his stance on hunger in Gaza and staff activism over the Gaza war.
FAO leadership’s stated position
Documents cited breaches of international civil service standards requiring staff to act impartially; Qu Dongyu accused an unnamed staff member of having played the political game.
Staff expression
Davis’s position
Davis argues he was disciplined without due process for speaking about the right to food, which he considers central to the FAO’s mandate.
FAO leadership’s stated position
UN rules allow staff to express political opinions only if doing so does not adversely affect their official duties or UN interests.
Effect on other employees
Davis’s position
Davis says he worries that other staff members could face retaliation for joining moments of silence for Gaza hunger victims.
FAO leadership’s stated position
FAO leadership has defended the dismissal, while the organization had not immediately responded to Reuters’ request for comment on Davis’s allegations or the specific grounds.
Key facts
- Appellant
- Benjamin Davis
- Organization
- Food and Agriculture Organization
- FAO director-general
- Qu Dongyu
- Employment decision
- Davis was informed that his employment would end on September 30.
- Relevant work
- Davis led the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division.
- Gaza report
- He authored a report on food availability in the Palestinian enclave in May 2025.
- Appeal status
- The case is before the FAO’s internal justice process and could later go to a United Nations tribunal.
Quotes
Benjamin Davis
Former senior FAO official and head of the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division
“I feel it’s a terrible injustice. I’ve been disciplined without due process for speaking up about a subject at the core of FAO’s mandate about the right to food which is the most basic of human rights”
theprint.in
Qu Dongyu
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization
“We will not allow you to play the game here of human rights”
theprint.in
Sources
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