Allegations have just emerged that twelve members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
A statement from the US Department of State responding to the allegations stated the US is “extremely troubled” and announced the US would freeze all funding to UNRWA.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has allegedly communicated with the United Nations (UN) demanding an investigation into the matter.
UNRAW has reportedly terminated the contracts of the staff accused of supporting Hamas during the October 7th attacks.
“This is shocking,” commented US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), a leader in legislative efforts calling for the US to stop funding UNRWA.
This is shocking.
I have said we should not pay any dues to the UN that undermines the national interest of the USA. This clearly does that. We need to stop this madness with the UN! https://t.co/R23bxmc2dE
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 26, 2024
UNRWA is the UN’s exclusive relief agency for Palestinian refugees. In the past, it has been subject to extensive criticism for its employment of individuals with ties to terrorist organizations.
After Hamas’ brutal attacks against Israel on October 7th, many American lawmakers called for the US to cut all aid to Gaza, including funds for UNRWA.
Despite pressure to cut aid, President Joe Biden maintained it after overturning former President Donald Trump’s administration’s decision to cease granting Gaza any US aid.
“The U.S. must immediately stop all aid to Gaza and the Palestinian Authority after the unprovoked terrorist attack against Israel, and the human rights atrocities that Hamas terrorists committed, are committing, against Israelis and foreign nations,” said Representative Mills in a statement responding to The Floridian's request for comment on October 9th.
Additionally, lawmakers had been warning of UNRWA’s deliberate efforts to support Hamas fighters by granting them access to UN aid as recently as January 23rd.
Representative Brian Mast (R-TX) criticized Biden’s continued funding of UNRWA after the USAID Office of Inspector General found that there is “deliberate interference and efforts to divert humanitarian assistance.”
The UN has reportedly pledged to enact a comprehensive and independent review of UNRWA.
