In a disconcerting revelation, it has come to light that the Biden administration's fiscal support inadvertently subsidizes groups linked with terrorism, failing to meet a fundamental standard of accountability and oversight. A report by Reuters, based on an Israeli intelligence dossier, exposed that approximately 190 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) are allegedly affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad, described by an Israeli official as "hardened fighters, killers."
Israeli MKs across political spectrum, incl. Opposition, sign letter to members of parliaments from countries that froze @UNRWA funding, calling to permanently defund the organization, following explosive links to Hamas Oct 7 attacks. Letter spearheaded by MK @dillouz from Likud. pic.twitter.com/6s97jHqpDJ
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) February 6, 2024
UNRWA's mandate is to provide humanitarian aid, including education and medical services, to the residents of the Gaza Strip. However, the integrity of its mission is severely compromised if its staff engages in activities beyond their humanitarian roles. The dossier suggests that some UNRWA employees were involved in the catastrophic terror attack on October 7, which resulted in the tragic loss of 1,200 lives in Israel, with many more kidnapped and still missing. The report details disturbing participation by UNRWA staff in the violence, including a teacher accused of filming a hostage and a social worker allegedly coordinating logistics for the terrorists.
This information raises alarming questions about the extent of militant infiltration within UNRWA, suggesting that as much as 10% of its workforce might have ties to terrorist organizations. The Israeli Defense Forces have further implicated the agency by providing evidence of Hamas utilizing UNRWA facilities for military purposes, including rocket storage adjacent to and within UNRWA schools—a fact acknowledged by the United Nations nearly a decade ago.
This 👇was found recently in an UNRWA building located the exclusive Rimal neighborhood in Gaza.
— Marc Zell (@GOPIsrael) February 6, 2024
DEFUND and DISSOLVE UNRWA pic.twitter.com/Jv5jTQo6hE
The indoctrination of hatred and the facilitation of terrorism under the guise of education and humanitarian work within UNRWA schools is a grave concern. It perpetuates a cycle of violence and enmity towards Israel, raising generations within an environment where hostility and violence against Israelis are normalized.
The response of the international community, particularly the United States, to these revelations is crucial. The Trump administration's decision to withdraw funding from UNRWA was a stance against the misuse of aid to support or tolerate terrorism. However, this policy was reversed under President Biden, who reinstated significant financial support to UNRWA, totaling $344 million in 2022 alone. The recent suspension of funding by the U.S. and several other countries, in light of these allegations, is a step in the right direction. Yet, given the severity of the charges against UNRWA, a reevaluation of its funding and operations is necessary to ensure that international aid does not contribute to terrorism.
Time to defund the UN and kick the UN out of America. Sheriff Lamb says the UN is funding the illegals through NGOs and has spent $1,600,000,000 to destroy America by flooding illegals into America.
— ƤƖҲƖЄ (@Pixie1z) February 2, 2024
We also know some UNRWA employees assisted in the October 7 massacre of… https://t.co/mU6Ale021G
The integrity of humanitarian aid is paramount, and it is incumbent upon the international community to demand transparency, accountability, and reform within UNRWA. Only through stringent oversight and a zero-tolerance policy for any form of support to terrorist activities can we safeguard the noble mission of aiding those in need, while also protecting the security and rights of all parties involved.