The House Foreign Affairs Committee hopes to launch an investigation into the United Nations, three members of the committee told The Post.
The committee plans to focus on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA.
The organization has been criticized for allegedly supporting terrorism after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
“There is extensive evidence of a troubling connection between UNRWA and Hamas, and it runs much deeper than previously known,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calf.), a ranking member of the committee. “Congress must now investigate and uncover the extent of what UNRWA knew, what it did and what it may be hiding from the world.”
UNRWA, officially dedicated to humanitarian aid, has long faced criticism for allegedly providing support to terrorists.
And those voices have only grown louder after the deadly Hamas massacre.
House members said they want UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini to answer the questions. AP
In November, an Israeli hostage freed by Hamas during a temporary lull in fighting said he was held for 50 days in the attic of a UNRWA teacher, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Hamas terrorist tunnels have been repeatedly found in and around UNRWA schools.
In 2018, former President Trump cut aid to UNRWA and his State Department criticized the organization as a “hopelessly flawed operation.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, a House GOP veteran, said a UNRWA investigation would begin in 2024. Paul Martinka
President Biden restored funding in April 2021. In June, the United States contributed more than $153 million to UNRWA, the organization announced in a glowing press release.
The United States has provided at least $730 million since Biden took office.
Any congressional investigation would go through the agency’s oversight subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.).
UNRWA has reportedly long faced accusations of supporting terrorism. AFP via Getty Images
“He also supports an investigation, to put it mildly,” a spokesman for Mast said, adding that the congressman expects UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini to answer questions, although as a Swiss citizen, the United States cannot compel his testimony.
While the House does not have jurisdiction over the United Nations, it does have jurisdiction over the State Department, which oversees the United States’ relationship with UNRWA.
One committee member said they would be willing to suspend funding next year if there was any indication of non-compliance.
“The rot is systemic… and the State Department knows it,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, who said he would be willing to cooperate with the investigation.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn