Rep. Darrell Issa is calling on congressional lawmakers to cut all future funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by next month’s federal spending deadline, according to a letter obtained exclusively by The Post.
“Based on UNRWA’s record of troubling allegations and disturbing revelations since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, we believe that no more US taxpayer funds can be given to the agency,” Issa (R-Calif.) wrote on Wednesday’s letter to the Senate and House divisions is working on a spending bill that includes foreign aid.
“The totality of the evidence regarding UNRWA’s conduct shows a systemic and incurable link to terrorism,” he added in the letter, which was co-signed by 27 Republican House lawmakers.
The House and Senate must pass either a continuing resolution or a separate spending bill to fund the federal government by March 1 or March 8, depending on the agency.
Rep. Darrell Issa is calling on congressional lawmakers to cut all future US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency by next month’s federal spending deadline. ZUMAPRESS.com “Based on UNRWA’s record of troubling allegations and disturbing revelations since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, we believe that no more US taxpayer funds can be given to the agency,” Issa wrote on Tuesday to The Senate and House Appropriations are working on the spending bill. AFP via Getty Images
Funds for the State Department expire on both of the latter dates.
Last week, UNRWA faced allegations that 12 of its workers participated in the October 7 terrorist attack — with several abductions and killings of Israelis — prompting an internal UN investigation and donor countries including the US temporarily halting funding.
Seven of the 12 employees held educational jobs at the Palestinian refugee aid agency — and about 1,200 of its employees were identified as having ties to Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, according to an Israeli intelligence document first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Last week, UNRWA faced allegations that 12 of its workers participated in the October 7 terrorist attacks — with several abductions and killings of Israelis. AFP via Getty Images
“Other concerns abound,” Issa explained, citing reports. “Weapons have been found in the UNRWA school. Hamas tunnels have been discovered next to UNRWA facilities. Hamas has stolen $1 million in UNRWA supplies since October 7, while UNRWA facilities may have been used to hold hostages.”
“UNRWA has also faced prolonged criticism over its education programs that indoctrinate Palestinian youth in antisemitism and terrorism,” he added.
The Biden administration had contributed $1 billion to UNRWA and was its top international donor before suspending funding on January 26. Germany, the second biggest funder, also pulled its donations following the shocking report.
“Other concerns abound,” Issa elaborated in his letter, citing reports. “Weapons have been found in the UNRWA school. Hamas tunnels have been discovered adjacent to UNRWA facilities.” AFP via Getty Images
The State Department revealed to The Post last week that $122 million has been disbursed since October to the refugee agency, which helps assist Palestinians with food, water, shelter and other necessities in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) previously told The Post that the administration is on track to release $371 million in fiscal year 2024 and has provided “no clarity on how much of this funding will be affected by the ‘temporary pause’.”
Smith and Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has since introduced legislation in the House to permanently eliminate UNRWA funding, while the Senate’s now doomed $118 billion national security supplemental package includes line items to the same effect.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) previously told The Post that the Biden administration “is on track” to release a total of $371 million in fiscal year 2024 and has provided “no clarity on how much of this funding will be affected by the temporary ‘pause.'” Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
But Issa insisted to The Post that introducing the proposal as part of an upcoming government funding bill would signal its importance.
“We need to support our captors as they negotiate their next spending deal — and this will make it clear that funding UNRWA is a Republican priority,” he said.
Republican co-signers of the letter include New Jersey Rep. Smith and Thomas Kean, Aaron Bean of Florida, Scott DesJarlais and Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Mary Miller of Illinois, Jeff Duncan and Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Mike Flood of Nebraska, Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, Alex Mooney of West Virginia, Barry Moore of Alabama, Cliff Bentz of Oregon, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Burgess Owens of Utah, Pete Stauber of Minnesota, Doug LaMalfa of California, Doug Lamborn of Colorado, Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Claudia Tenney and Anthony D’Esposito of New York, and Randy Weber, Ronny Jackson, August Pfluger, Lance Gooden and Keith Self from Texas.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
