White House to UNRWA: Show 'Real Progress' Before Funding Restoration Amid Neutrality Concerns and Israel Allegations
The White House stated on Tuesday that it would not restore funding to the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, until there is "real progress" regarding allegations of staff involvement in Hamas attacks.
Israel accused UNRWA staff of participating in the October 2023 attacks, and a UN probe is ongoing.
A separate review found "neutrality-related issues," but Israel has yet to provide evidence of staff being members of terrorist organizations.
Several donor countries have resumed funding, but the US and Britain have not.
The United States, represented by Kirby, has expressed support for a report that criticizes UNRWA for neutrality issues such as biased social media posts by staff and problematic textbooks in some schools.
UNRWA, which provides services to over five million people in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza Strip, and West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is currently facing a funding blockade from the US due to a law signed by President Biden last month that lasts until March 2025.