Why It’s Time to Defund UNRWA | 1.12.25

The episode dives deep into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), highlighting its controversial background since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Haleil Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, articulates how UNRWA has employed individuals with documented ties to terrorist organizations, including Hamas. He discusses the organization’s operations in several countries, particularly noting that many teachers have been found to glorify terrorist acts through social media, prompting UN Watch to intensively investigate these connections over the past decade.

Neuer underscores the significant funding directed at UNRWA by the U.S. government, revealing that over a billion dollars was allocated under the Biden administration before a pause in funds last year. He criticizes the lack of due diligence from the State Department, claiming they failed to consult organizations tracking UNRWA’s activities. Neuer expresses hope for bipartisan legislative efforts aimed at freezing U.S. funds, sharing successful instances of funding cuts from other countries like the Netherlands and Sweden.

The discussion intensifies as Neuer presents his case for dismantling UNRWA, describing it as 'rotten to the core.' He emphasizes that rather than facilitating peace, UNRWA perpetuates a grievance narrative leading to further conflict. The podcast highlights one principal example, Fatri Al-Sharif, revealing that UNRWA’s educational leaders have strong ties to Hamas, undermining any claims of neutrality or peace promotion.

Neuer articulates the importance of leadership in continuing the push against UNRWA. He calls for concerted action from major democracies to halt funding and reassess their support for such organizations. Highlighting the historical context of UNRWA, he asserts that true support for Palestinians involves empowering them to govern independently rather than perpetuating their dependence on UN institutions that foster conflict.