Biden admin temporarily adopts Trump’s UN Palestinian agency funding approach
President Biden’s Administration Suspends Funding to UN Program Aiding Palestinians
The Biden administration is taking steps to align its policy with that of the previous administration regarding funding for a United Nations program aimed at assisting Palestinians in conflict-ridden areas. In other words, they are choosing not to provide funding.
On January 26, the Biden administration suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is responsible for providing humanitarian services in Gaza and other locations. This decision was made in response to recent allegations that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, resulting in the loss of 1,200 lives. In the subsequent counteroffensive by Israel, an estimated 25,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, although a significant portion of that number is believed to be Hamas terrorists.
Secretary of State Blinken Supports Israel’s Claims
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States has not conducted an investigation into Israel’s allegations against UNRWA. However, he described the claims as “highly, highly credible.”
While it remains to be seen how much of an impact the Biden administration’s decision will have on those involved, it is worth noting that the US has already provided $120 million to UNRWA in the current fiscal year, with only $300,000 being withheld.
This move is significant because UNRWA recently terminated several employees based on new information provided by Israel. The information detailed the connections between these employees and the October 7 attacks.
“Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general.
However, some congressional lawmakers, analysts, and Middle East observers are skeptical of this expressed shock and outrage. They have argued for years that UNRWA’s operations in Hamas-controlled Gaza inherently support the terrorist group. This support is partly driven by ideological affinity for the anti-Israel cause, but also for utilitarian reasons to maintain favor with the powerful Hamas group.
Hamas has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department since 1997. The group has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, following a coup against the Palestinian Authority. This occurred two years after Israel withdrew from the 140.9-square-mile territory, which it had gained control of from Egypt after defeating combined Arab nation armies in the 1967 Six-Day War.
What initially started as a small agency providing emergency relief to refugees of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence has now expanded to operate in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Most of UNRWA’s approximately $1.3 billion budget is funded by Western nations, with the US often being a significant contributor. However, Western donors are now questioning whether the agency has become irreversibly radicalized. Eighteen countries, including Germany, Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, have suspended funding.
Similarities to the Trump Administration’s Approach
The Trump administration completely ended US funding to UNRWA in August 2018, citing the agency as “irredeemably flawed.” However, the Biden administration reversed this decision upon taking office. On April 7, 2021, Secretary Blinken announced that the US would restore aid to the Palestinians, including funding for UNRWA at the UN.
Now, nearly three years later, the Biden administration has shifted its stance on UNRWA funding, at least temporarily. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul believes that the reinstatement of funding should never have happened in the first place. He expressed his “appalled but unfortunately not surprised” reaction to the revelations of UNRWA’s alleged staff involvement in the October 7 attacks. McCaul argues that UNRWA is not impartial and has a widespread and systemic anti-Israel bias.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin also expressed outrage at the allegations of UNRWA’s complicity with Hamas terrorist groups. Cardin called for the immediate establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate the involvement of UNRWA employees in the October 7 attacks.
However, some lawmakers view the suspension of aid to UNRWA as short-sighted. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes that cutting off support to UNRWA, which is the primary source of humanitarian aid for over 2 million Gazans, is unacceptable. She argues that risking the starvation of millions based on allegations involving only 12 individuals is indefensible.
UNRWA exclusively serves Palestinian refugees, with an estimated 5.8 million refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian territories. However, many dispute this number, considering it an intentional exaggeration aimed at undermining Israel at the UN. UNRWA is the only organization within the UN system that focuses on a specific group of refugees, while all other refugee groups are handled by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
How does the Biden administration’s decision to follow a similar path and suspend funding to UNRWA affect the long-term future of the agency and its ability to fulfill its humanitarian mission, and what are the contrasting views on its impact on the suffering of Palestinian refugees
Mitted to cutting funding to UNRWA in 2018, citing concerns over the agency’s perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The decision was met with criticism from some who argued that it would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank. However, supporters of the move maintained that it was necessary to hold UNRWA accountable for its alleged ties to terrorism and anti-Israel sentiments.
Now, with the Biden administration following a similar path, it raises questions about the long-term future of UNRWA and its ability to fulfill its humanitarian mission. Some argue that the suspension of funding will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinian refugees, as the agency plays a crucial role in providing vital services such as education, healthcare, and social assistance.
However, others contend that UNRWA has become too entangled with Hamas and has failed to effectively address the needs of Palestinian refugees. They argue that by cutting funding and scrutinizing the agency’s operations, the Biden administration is taking a necessary step towards pushing for transparency and accountability.
The decision to suspend funding to UNRWA also has broader geopolitical implications. It signals a shift in the Biden administration’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aligning itself more closely with Israel’s perspective and concerns. This move may further strain relations with the Palestinian Authority and complicate efforts to revive peace negotiations.
It is important to note that the decision to suspend funding to UNRWA is not without its critics. Many argue that it undermines the agency’s mission of providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations and may further destabilize an already volatile region. They argue that a more holistic approach, focusing on promoting dialogue and addressing the root causes of the conflict, is needed to achieve long-lasting peace.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the suspension of funding to UNRWA will impact the Palestinian population and the prospects for peace in the region. The move by the Biden administration indicates a willingness to depart from previous policies and chart a new course in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether this shift will lead to positive or negative outcomes remains uncertain, but it is clear that the decision has far-reaching implications for the future of UNRWA and the broader peace process.
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