BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called for an immediate halt to funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This comes in response to reports that UNRWA staff were allegedly complicit in the kidnapping of Israelis on October 7.
Senator Risch expressed his outrage, stating, “It is unconscionable that UNRWA staff allegedly participated in the attacks and kidnapped Israelis on October 7. For years, I have warned the Biden Administration about resuming funding to UNRWA, which has a history of employing people connected to terrorist movements like Hamas. Today’s news is yet another example that underscores how corrupt this organization truly is.”
The senator urged the Biden Administration to take swift action, demanding an immediate cessation of all funding to UNRWA and a thorough investigation into the matter. He also warned against relying on UNRWA for assistance in Gaza, as it could potentially contribute to the support for terrorism that led to the attacks against Israel.
Senator Risch has been a vocal critic of UNRWA and has consistently raised concerns about the organization’s connections to terrorist groups. In April 2022, he led a group of 20 colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging the administration to cease assistance to UNRWA until critical reforms are implemented. In May 2022, Senator Risch voiced his concerns during a full committee hearing, questioning the nominee for assistant secretary of State for international organization affairs.
In an effort to hold UNRWA accountable, Senator Risch introduced the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Accountability and Transparency Act in both July 2022 and February 2023. However, despite his objections, the Biden Administration chose to fund UNRWA last fall, disregarding the senator’s concerns.
Senator Risch remains committed to ensuring accountability for the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in the kidnapping of Israelis. He concluded, “I will do all that I can to ensure accountability for these horrific events.”
The senator’s call for an immediate halt to funding for UNRWA highlights the need for a thorough investigation into the matter and raises important questions about the organization’s integrity and its ability to effectively provide assistance in the region.
