The White House is preparing for the possibility that Congress could permanently cut off funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, known as UNRWA.
In January, Israel accused 12 UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) staff of taking part in a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, prompting protests from more than a dozen countries, including the United States. exclaimed. Temporarily suspend funding to government agencies.
The U.S. government said it wanted to see the results of a U.N. investigation into UNRWA personnel suspected of taking part in attacks by Hamas terrorists in Gaza that killed more than 1,000 people and took about 250 hostages before making a decision. Ta. About restarting donations.
“The supplemental request passed by the Senate included a ban on funding for UNRWA,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said during a regular briefing Tuesday. “It’s clear now that we have suspended funding for UNRWA, we have to plan for the fact that Congress may make that suspension permanent. That will happen. We don’t know and we haven’t made any decisions.”We respect the administration’s actions as we await the UN investigation, but as part of careful planning, Because we need to plan for all alternatives, we have sought collaboration with other humanitarian agencies that can provide humanitarian assistance. ”
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State Department spokesman Matthew Miller speaks to reporters during his daily press briefing in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2024. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“We must plan carefully to ensure that humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians is not interrupted, because we know they desperately need it and we are committed to providing it. The body,” Miller added.
If the United States lifts the moratorium, only $300,000 will be allocated to UNRWA, and any additional funding to the relief agency will require Congressional approval. The United States is the largest donor to UNRWA, typically contributing between $300 million and $400 million a year, according to Reuters. UNRWA employs more than 13,000 people in Gaza.
Palestinians flock to receive flour distributed by UNRWA in Gaza on March 3, 2024. (Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“UNRWA currently plays a critical role in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians that no other agency can take on,” Miller said on Tuesday. “I don’t think it’s news that Israel has issues with UNRWA. This does not change the important work they continue to do to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in desperate need. ”
Protesters hold placards and flags in front of UNRWA’s office in Jerusalem on February 5, 2024, demanding its ouster. (Amir Levi/Getty Images)
During the suspension, the Biden administration has sought alternative agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP) to continue providing assistance.
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The Senate passed a controversial $95 billion national security package last month to help Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. It includes provisions blocking funding to UNRWA. House Republican leaders have so far resisted pressure to bring the bill to a floor vote.
