In a recent revelation, it has come to light that the Biden administration sent $33.7 million from the American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 relief bill, to a Palestinian relief organization that has been accused of providing safe harbor to terrorists in Gaza. The United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA) received this funding through the State Department’s Migration and Refugee Assistance program, raising concerns about the allocation of taxpayer money to an organization with alleged ties to Hamas.
UNRWA has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, with critics arguing that the group has not done enough to prevent aid from reaching the hands of Hamas terrorists. Reports suggest that UNRWA locations have housed Hamas activities and spread propaganda in schools. In fact, in 2014, the left-leaning New Republic described UNRWA as “effectively a branch of Hamas.” UN Watch, a non-governmental organization, has also reported that UNRWA schools have been complicit in teaching hatred towards Jewish people and glorifying terrorism.
Despite these concerns, the Biden administration reinstated funding to UNRWA, which was previously cut off by the Trump administration in 2018. The decision to resume funding has raised questions about the potential indirect support to Hamas and other designated terror groups in the region. An internal State Department document from March 2021 expressed concerns about the risk of U.S. assistance benefiting terror groups, but argued that it was necessary for national security and foreign policy objectives.
Critics of the decision argue that UNRWA provides services that the Hamas government should be responsible for, thus alleviating some of their burden and indirectly benefiting them. However, supporters of UNRWA, including some critics, highlight the agency’s role in providing essential services such as education, healthcare, relief, and social services to Palestinian refugees. They argue that cooperation with UNRWA is necessary to ensure aid reaches those in need.
The Biden administration’s funding to UNRWA has drawn attention, especially considering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Former President Donald Trump’s decision to cut off funding was criticized, with claims that it deprived impoverished Gaza residents of “life-saving” aid. However, concerns about potential misuse of funds and the indirect support to designated terror groups have prompted calls for stricter oversight and reassessment of funding decisions.
The allocation of $33.7 million to UNRWA is part of a $500 million package included in the American Rescue Plan for the State Department to fund migration and refugee assistance. The decision to provide such a substantial amount to an organization with controversial ties has sparked debate and raised questions about the priorities and effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid.
As of now, neither the White House nor UNRWA has provided a response to the concerns raised. The State Department, however, has emphasized the importance of UNRWA’s services and its commitment to strong oversight and neutrality in the allocation of funds. They state that the MRA funds sent to UNRWA are used for health services, protective equipment, hospitalization, and assistance to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable families.
Moving forward, the funding to UNRWA and its potential implications for supporting terrorism will continue to be a topic of discussion and scrutiny. Calls for transparency and accountability in the allocation of taxpayer funds aim to ensure that U.S. assistance serves its intended purpose without inadvertently aiding designated terror groups.
