January 30, 2024, New York, NY – The outrage over UNRWA’s role in fostering hate and terrorism in Gaza should immediately translate into a discussion on a new way of serving the humanitarian needs of Palestinians. After the reports that at least 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the terror attack on October 7, and with many more believed to have ties to Hamas, the agency is facing its worst crisis of legitimacy and governance ever. To quote Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
Today’s joint hearing by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability and the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations offers an opportunity to commence the discussion on what should replace UNRWA. Aptly titled, “UNRWA Exposed: Examining the Agency’s Mission and Failures,” the hearing can and should help build the case for disbanding the U.N. agency in favor of a solution that meets humanitarian requirements and fosters understanding instead of perpetuating the conflict.
As the current situation has made it clear, UNRWA is part of the problem in Gaza, not the solution. The involvement of UNRWA staffers in the Oct. 7 attack is the end result of a process that has been going on for a long time. Years of ignoring anti-Israel indoctrination and terrorist incitement has created a situation where now UNRWA buildings act as conduits for Hamas tunnels, and teachers and staff designated as social workers take part in kidnapping and murdering Israelis. In addition, there is little evidence to suggest that UNRWA tried to stop Hamas from stealing up to $1 million in supplies that include fuel and trucks since the war began on Oct. 7.
UNRWA has reached a point of no return, as we have said before. A mechanism that replaces this agency could incorporate the experiences of other United Nations and international agencies and plug the holes in UNRWA’s checkered record that has been identified recently.
It is high time to get rid of UNRWA.
