FAO official says he lost his job for criticising Israeli policies in Gaza

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Published: 2026-10-02T07:00:37.629Z • Permanent link

Abdulqader Helal, a senior economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has made headlines after disclosing that he was terminated from his position for criticizing Israeli policies in Gaza. The incident has sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the limits of free speech in international organizations. Helal, who had worked at the FAO for over two decades, claimed that he was fired in November 2022 after he expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the impact of Israeli military actions on the local population.

Experts point to the FAO's history of neutrality and impartiality as a key factor in the incident. The organization's Constitution emphasizes its commitment to objectivity and independence, yet Helal's termination suggests that the boundaries between these principles and personal opinions can be blurry. The FAO's governing body, the Conference of the FAO, has been criticized in the past for its handling of sensitive issues, including its response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Helal's case has also drawn attention to the role of international organizations in regulating speech and promoting free expression. Critics argue that the FAO's actions undermine the principles of intellectual freedom and stifle critical debate, while proponents argue that the organization's commitment to neutrality and impartiality is essential for maintaining its credibility and effectiveness.

Criticizing Israeli policies in Gaza is not a new phenomenon, and Helal's termination is unlikely to be an isolated incident. The incident highlights the complexities of regulating speech in international organizations and the tensions between neutrality, impartiality, and personal opinions. The FAO's handling of the situation may have implications for the global research community, particularly those working on humanitarian issues and conflict resolution.

The incident may also have broader implications for the global economy, as the FAO plays a critical role in shaping international agricultural policies and providing data and analysis on food security and sustainability. The FAO's commitment to objectivity and impartiality is essential for maintaining its credibility and effectiveness, and any perceived erosion of these principles could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

The FAO's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is part of a larger pattern of tensions between international organizations and governments. The UN has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict, and there have been ongoing debates about the organization's role in promoting peace and resolving disputes. The FAO's Constitution emphasizes its commitment to objectivity and independence, yet the organization's history suggests that these principles can be challenging to maintain in the face of competing interests and pressures.