Pressure has been mounting on UNRWA, the United Nations agency aiding Palestinian refugees, due to its failure to condemn armed terror groups in Gaza using its facilities for attacks against Israel. Israeli lawmakers approved a bill to cut ties with UNRWA, labeling it a terrorist entity. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee passed legislation to freeze funding and recover previous donations.
UNRWA has been accused of perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by Israel, citing its unique treatment of Palestinian refugees compared to other global conflicts. The agency's budget for 2023 was $1.46 billion, with major donors like the U.S., Germany, EU, and France. Funding was paused by the U.S. and 17 other countries following evidence of UNRWA employees' involvement in terror attacks.
Despite condemnations by UNRWA officials, the agency faces criticism for not addressing Hamas's misuse of its facilities. Israeli military reports show ongoing battles near UNRWA-owned sites. Legislation in Israel and the U.S. aims to sever ties with UNRWA and recover funds, citing its alleged support for terrorism.
UNRWA's Director of Communications emphasized the agency's condemnation of all parties misusing its facilities and called for investigations into violations of international law. However, critics argue that UNRWA's actions have not been strong enough to address the situation.
The bipartisan push against UNRWA in both Israeli and U.S. legislatures reflects concerns over its alleged role in fueling violence and hatred. Lawmakers seek to prevent UNRWA from operating within their territories and recover funds to ensure they are not supporting terrorism.
