The Trump administration is actively pursuing the dismantlement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing allegations of the agency's association with terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Philippe Lazzarini © UN
The Trump administration is actively pursuing the dismantlement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing allegations of the agency's association with terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Recent intelligence reports have indicated that approximately 10% of UNRWA's employees in Gaza have ties to these groups, with some staff members allegedly participating in the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
In response to these concerns, President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council and the continuation of a funding freeze on UNRWA.
The administration is advocating for the establishment of a new, independent agency to provide transparent assistance to Palestinian refugees. Additionally, there is a push for the resignation of UNRWA's Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, due to allegations of bias against Israel and support for Palestinian groups.
Critics argue that dismantling UNRWA could lead to a humanitarian crisis, as the agency currently provides essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees. However, proponents of the move believe that creating a new agency with transparent operations is crucial for ensuring that aid reaches those in need without inadvertently supporting terrorist activities.
The proposed changes reflect a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Palestinian aid and highlight the administration's commitment to combating terrorism while seeking alternative methods to support Palestinian refugees.
By Antoine Khoury
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Ankara rejected on Wednesday what it called the "prejudiced and unfair" stance of the European Union towards fundamental rights and the judiciary in Turkey, and regarding Cyprus, contained in the bloc's report on EU membership candidates.
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