Amidst allegations of terror ties, Congress is introducing legislation to demand the return of American tax dollars sent to UNRWA, the UN agency serving Palestinian refugees.
In the wake of disturbing reports linking United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employees to Hamas, members of Congress are taking swift action. Representatives Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) have joined forces to introduce legislation that would mandate the U.S. State Department to retrieve American taxpayer funds allocated to UNRWA.
Allegations have surfaced about the agency's complicity in Hamas's overnight attack on Israeli border communities on October 7, 2022. According to intelligence reports, approximately 10% of UNRWA workers are linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihadists. As many as 12 employees allegedly assisted Hamas during the attack, leaving over 1,200 people dead and more than 200 taken hostage.
In response, the Biden administration has halted additional funding to UNRWA. However, concerns remain about the $121 million transferred just days before the freeze. Mast and Gottheimer's bipartisan bill aims to recoup this sum for the U.S.
The United States is not alone in its concerns about UNRWA. Other governments have also distanced themselves from the agency. In February, U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed the involvement of some UNRWA employees in the Hamas attack but emphasized the need for further verification.
In March, the Israeli government presented a dossier to its allies detailing the alleged ties between 12 UNRWA employees and Hamas. The dossier revealed that 17% of UNRWA teachers and 20% of school administrators were members of the terror group. Allegations also included the glorification of martyrdom and antisemitic tropes in textbooks used in UNRWA schools.
The dossier's release sparked widespread condemnation and a loss of funding for UNRWA. Hundreds of millions of dollars were withdrawn by donors, and Congress passed legislation defunding the agency until 2025.
The current concerns about UNRWA echo actions taken by former President Donald Trump during his presidency. He cut funding to the agency, citing concerns about its alleged ties to terrorism.
Investigations into UNRWA's connections to Hamas are ongoing. Congress and international allies continue to scrutinize the agency's operations and the potential misuse of funds intended for humanitarian aid.
The UNRWA scandal has cast a shadow over the agency's mission to provide relief to Palestinian refugees. The revelations about Hamas ties and the misuse of funds have raised serious questions about its effectiveness and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
