SouthernWorldwide.com – The United States is urging international donors to cease their financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This call comes as the UN itself defends the agency’s vital mission and its continued necessity.
U.S. Ambassador Jeff Bartos, speaking at UNRWA’s annual pledging conference in early July, criticized member states for what he described as a “failed approach.” He asserted that the agency had effectively become a “subsidiary of Hamas.”
“Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result is the definition of insanity,” Bartos stated. “And yet, here we are again, another annual pledging conference for UNRWA. Same speeches… same condemnation of Israel, same failures to condemn Hamas.”
Bartos specifically called on governments to halt funding for UNRWA schools in Gaza. He accused these institutions of indoctrinating children with hatred towards Jews and glorifying terrorism. Furthermore, he cited allegations of UNRWA employees participating in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“You can choose to fund incitement, terrorism and stagnation, or you can choose to fund the Board of Peace, giving Gazans a path to peace, prosperity and real, durable change,” Bartos proposed.
The Board of Peace is an initiative spearheaded by the U.S. under former President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. Its objective is to oversee transitional governance, reconstruction, and long-term development in conjunction with a Palestinian technocratic administration. The U.S. administration contends that this approach offers a superior alternative to UNRWA, redirecting aid away from what it claims is a Hamas-infiltrated system and towards accountable governance and economic recovery.
In response to these allegations, UNRWA officials, including former Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and acting chief Christian Saunders, have stated that “strong action” was taken when presented with facts regarding potential infiltration by individuals aligned with terrorist organizations. This was confirmed by a UN spokesperson.
“UNRWA doesn’t operate through a sort of immaculate conception,” the spokesperson explained during a press briefing. “It is there because there is a mandate given to it by the General Assembly, and we continue to fulfill that mandate. It has a very important role to play on the humanitarian front.”
The spokesperson also pointed out that the Security Council resolution supporting the Board of Peace includes provisions for the United Nations to deliver humanitarian assistance and lead humanitarian activities in Gaza. “UNRWA is part of that system,” they added.
The U.S. stance stood in stark contrast to that of several European governments. At the same pledging event, the United Kingdom announced a contribution of £23 million in support of UNRWA.
British Ambassador James Kariuki described the agency as “indispensable” for delivering essential services to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
France also reiterated what its representative termed “full support” for UNRWA, emphasizing the agency’s continued provision of crucial assistance despite mounting challenges. France reported providing €123 million to UNRWA since 2023 and indicated that its 2026 contribution would be announced soon.
The French representative acknowledged that allegations against UNRWA have been taken seriously and stated that the agency is implementing recommendations from the Colonna review aimed at enhancing neutrality and transparency. France also expressed support for a gradual transfer of UNRWA’s responsibilities to reformed and strengthened Palestinian institutions as part of a broader political settlement.
This funding dispute arises as UN Watch is calling for the waiver of any immunity enjoyed by Philippe Lazzarini, whose term has concluded. The watchdog group asserts that this would allow national authorities to investigate allegations that he disregarded repeated warnings about Hamas infiltration.
In a letter dated June 30, the Geneva-based watchdog claimed to have provided Lazzarini and his administration with evidence concerning teachers, school principals, union leaders, and other employees allegedly supporting or affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups. UN Watch argued that these claims provide grounds for an independent criminal investigation.
A representative from UN Watch stated that waiving Lazzarini’s immunity would not equate to a finding of guilt but would enable prosecutors to examine the evidence. “The investigation may prove there’s no evidence, and it’s over,” the representative commented. “But at least you should waive immunity to allow an investigation. The U.N. said that if anyone was found involved, ‘we will cooperate.’ Now is the test.”
When questioned about whether UN Secretary-General Guterres would consider waiving Lazzarini’s immunity, the UN spokesperson did not provide a direct answer. “As far as I know, UN Watch is not a judicial authority,” the spokesperson said. “We have always, as a matter of principle, cooperated with investigations by national authorities.”
UN Watch’s letter contends that immunity is intended to protect the interests of the United Nations, not to grant personal benefits to officials. It argues that immunity should be waived when it obstructs justice without harming the organization.
