Internal agency documents cite alleged breaches of civil-service standards requiring staff to act with impartiality, and the firing was requested by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. Davis, who served for 26 years, has since appealed the decision and characterized the termination as retaliation for his humanitarian advocacy, Reuters reports.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Story
Former FAO Director Appeals Dismissal Over Gaza Protests
World18 days ago
Benjamin Davis, who spent over two decades at the United Nations, is contesting the termination of his employment at the agency's food division. The 62-year-old former director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) claims he was fired on September 30 for organizing weekly moments of silence for victims of famine in Gaza and for authoring a report on food scarcity and international humanitarian law in the region.
Looking for more context or analysis?
Tilt chat provides reliable, tailored insights, alerts, and automations.