**FAO Official Claims Job Loss Linked to Criticism of Israeli Policies in Gaza**
*Rome, Italy – October 2, 2026*
Ben Davis, a former senior director at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has publicly stated that his termination was a direct result of his criticism of Israeli policies regarding Gaza. Davis, who served as the Director of Rural Transformation and Gender Equality, revealed that he was informed in July that his contract would not be renewed due to alleged breaches of impartiality rules.
In an interview with AFP, Davis explained that he was accused of organizing weekly silent protests at the FAO headquarters in Rome. These protests were intended to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the issues of starvation and famine. "They accused me of organizing these moments of silence on the situation of starvation and famine in Gaza," he stated.
Davis also faced scrutiny over a report he authored concerning food availability in Gaza and its relation to humanitarian law, which was published in May. He noted that there were directives to remove the report, as references to humanitarian law were deemed inappropriate. "We were told to take it down," he recalled. "We weren’t allowed to make any references to humanitarian law."
The situation escalated when FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu made public comments that appeared to address Davis's actions. During a session on forestry, Qu stated, "we don’t allow you to play the game here of human rights," emphasizing that while human rights are important, the FAO's focus should remain on its core mission. He indicated that staff members who violate regulations could face termination, implying that Davis's actions were contrary to FAO policies.
Davis interpreted Qu's remarks as a direct reference to him, stating, "absolutely" when asked if he believed the comments were aimed at him. He expressed concern over the director-general's intentions, particularly regarding the threat to dismiss more employees who may challenge the organization's stance on political issues.
The silent protests, which initially attracted hundreds of participants, have seen a decline in attendance, with only 30 to 40 individuals participating in recent weeks. Davis noted the dwindling support, highlighting the challenges faced by those advocating for awareness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The backdrop to this controversy is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant loss of life and humanitarian distress. Since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, it is reported that over 74,000 individuals have died due to the conflict, with at least 1,431 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in October 2025.
The FAO has not publicly commented on Davis's claims or the circumstances surrounding his departure. The organization, based in Rome, is primarily focused on combating hunger and improving food security worldwide, but its operations and policies are increasingly scrutinized in light of global humanitarian crises.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the implications of Davis's dismissal raise questions about the intersection of humanitarian advocacy and organizational policies within international agencies. The discourse surrounding human rights and political expression within such institutions remains a contentious issue, particularly in contexts of ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.