Ex-UN director who protested Gaza famine challenges his dismissal
By Emma Farge and Crispian Balmer GENEVA/ROME, Oct 2 (Reuters) - A former senior UN food agency official has said he has launched an appeal against his dismissal, alleging it was motivated by his stance on hunger in Gaza, in a case that has exposed tensions within the Rome-based organisation. Benjamin Davis, 62, a Spanish American director at the Food and Agriculture Organization, was informed…
A former senior United Nations official, Benjamin Davis, has announced his intention to challenge his dismissal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The 62-year-old, a Spanish-American, claims his employment was terminated due to his protests against the famine in Gaza. Davis, who has worked for the FAO for 26 years, was informed of his dismissal on September 30, according to documents obtained by Reuters.
He asserts that his dismissal breaches international civil service standards that require impartiality. Davis, who was head of the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, stated that he feels it's a "terrible injustice" and has filed an appeal. The FAO has not commented on the allegations or the grounds for his dismissal.
Davis served on a renewable contract and authored a report on food availability in the Gaza Strip in May 2025. His dismissal has sparked debate about the ability of UN employees to voice their opinions on humanitarian crises without fear of career repercussions.
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