Context
Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest pro-Israel organization in the U.S. with over 10 million members, is urging the Biden administration to make the recent suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) permanent following allegations of staff members’ involvement in terrorist activities.
Why it matters
UNRWA recently terminated the contracts of dozens of employees after accusations of their participation in the Hamas massacre against Israel arose. Citing these incidences and historical concerns about UNRWA’s ties to anti-Israel sentiments, CUFI’s leadership, including Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker, argues against utilizing U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund the agency. This stance challenges the current administration’s recent temporary pause in funding, calling for a prospective and indefinite halt.
Under Fire
Early in 2024, the U.S. administration froze additional funding for UNRWA, pending a thorough examination of current allegations. State Department representatives highlighted the critical humanitarian aid UNRWA provides while emphasizing the importance of the Agency addressing these serious allegations.
Calls for Reform
CUFI stands unequivocally against the resumption of U.S financial support to UNRWA without crucial reform, echoing former President Trump’s characterization of the organization as “irredeemably flawed.” CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee emphasized the urgency of halting funds, indicating such finances indirectly elevate antisemitism and support terrorist groups like Hamas.
Financial Backstory
Since UNRWA’s funding resumption by the Biden administration in 2021, the U.S. has significantly contributed to the organization’s budget with hundreds of millions of dollars. Numbers reflect that in 2022, the US led the funding with $344 million poured into the Welfare Agency’s budget.
The CUFI Stance
This faith-driven group works to inform U.S. legislators of the Christian Zionist perspective, influencing policy in Congress and urging government leadership, including President Biden, to follow moves by other countries like Germany, which has already suspended new aid to UNRWA. CUFI is adamant about shifting how U.S. aid is used, advocating for it to support processes that foster peace and constructive development rather than perpetuating conflict and terrorism.
Moving Forward
The CUFI, while welcoming the White House’s temporary action, remains skeptical of the U.S. administration’s commitment to longer-term financial disengagement from UNRWA, calling for persistent advocacy and perhaps a reevaluation of the United Nations’ roles and resources until meaningful reforms take place that truly aid the Palestinian people.
This story was first published on jpost.com.