UNRWA Officials Call on Congress to Support Operations Amid Potential Terrorism Designation

UNRWA officials urged Congressional staff to resist the Trump administration’s possible designation of the U.N. agency as a foreign terrorist organization. This discussion took place during a briefing on December 17, which covered UNRWA’s ongoing operations in Gaza and the West Bank, notably cash-based assistance, according to information obtained by Fox News Digital.

The video conference was organized by UNRWA USA, a nonprofit that advocates for the agency and raises funds. Mara Kronenfeld, the US Director-General for UNRWA, opened the meeting by affirming that the organization remains active in Gaza and the West Bank. She claimed there’s an “insidious effort” by the Netanyahu administration to obstruct UNRWA’s crucial humanitarian work.

Briefers also addressed concerns about the U.S. government contemplating this designation and explored ways for Congressional offices to thwart such actions and support UNRWA’s vital work, as per details shared with Fox News Digital.

Bill Dear, UNRWA’s Washington director, noted that reports indicate the administration is indeed considering labeling UNRWA a foreign terrorist entity. He called this a “unprecedented” move for a UN body and labeled it “unjust,” asserting that independent investigations have contradicted claims regarding UNRWA personnel.

Dear encouraged Congressional offices to raise their voices against this potential designation, suggesting it could set a worrying precedent affecting not just UNRWA but the broader U.N. system.

During the meeting, field leaders from UNRWA reported on the conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. Sam Rose, the director for Gaza, explained that international personnel were barred from entering Gaza due to Israeli law, forcing operations to be managed remotely. Despite claims of being on lockdown, he insisted that UNRWA’s services, such as healthcare and education, have remained uninterrupted.

Rose also mentioned that the agency can continue operating cash aid and job creation programs without immediate supplies. He declared, “We can operate on a large scale.”

Roland Friedrich, introduced as UNRWA’s Executive Director for the West Bank, highlighted the agency’s extensive educational, health, and assistance programs benefiting hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. He noted that aid could include cash assistance and emphasized the agency’s stabilizing influence across the region.

Look, amidst operational strategies, the briefing also pushed for Congressional support. Kronenfeld encouraged attendees to back the UNRWA Fund Emergency Restoration Act of 2025, praising those in Congress who advocate for recovering U.S. funding, which had notably diminished since 2024.

In response to requests for comments, UNRWA USA did not reply, and UNRWA also remained silent.

In addressing the operational challenges, Rose stated that while UNRWA can still receive fuel via third-party channels, the basic services provided by the agency remain critical. He elaborated on the daily influx of trucks, estimating around 600, while acknowledging the evolving nature of supplies entering Gaza, distinguishing between commercial goods and humanitarian necessities.

Moreover, the meeting emphasized the importance of engaging with officials to advocate for UNRWA’s cause amidst ongoing political pressures, reiterating the agency’s essential role in delivering care and education in a challenging environment.