Human Rights Groups Criticize Biden for Palestine Aid.
More than 100 immigrant, refugee, human rights, and humanitarian organizations have united to demand the reinstatement of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This collective plea was sent to Congress and President Joe Biden, emphasizing the critical role that UNRWA plays in providing direct relief to nearly 6 million Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring Arab states for over 75 years.
Amidst the devastating conflict in Gaza, where the majority of the population heavily relies on UNRWA for essential provisions like food, water, and hygiene supplies, other aid organizations have been forced to suspend their services due to being targeted and attacked by Israeli bombs. The situation escalated further when Israeli officials accused a number of UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in a Hamas attack that resulted in the loss of countless lives and hostages.
However, an independent United Nations report later debunked these allegations, citing a lack of evidence provided by Israeli forces. Despite this clarification, a backlash ensued with over a dozen international donors, including the United States, suspending approximately $450 million in aid. The financial support from the U.S. to UNRWA has been put on hold until at least March 2025, while other countries like Germany have opted to resume funding for the aid agency.
“Cutting off funding to UNRWA completely undermines the international community’s ability to respond to one of the most severe humanitarian crises of our time,” the joint letter voiced. International NGOs and other UN bodies have emphasized their inability to address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza without the support of UNRWA.
Despite these challenges, the Senate recently approved a significant foreign aid package in a 79-18 vote, allocating funds for countries like Ukraine and Israel, in addition to humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and the Indo-Pacific region. The White House reported that nearly 5,000 trucks have delivered essential supplies to Gaza, including meals and water, though human rights groups argue that more substantial assistance is required.
Sunil Varghese, the policy director at the International Refugee Assistance Project, condemned the withholding of aid to an organization capable of providing life-saving support to millions in need. He highlighted that UNRWA’s unique ability to offer vital assistance remains unparalleled.
The urgency of this situation was reiterated by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, who disclosed that the agency only has funding to sustain operations until June, a troubling prospect given the reports of famine and starvation emerging from Gaza. Tragically, instances of starvation-related deaths, particularly among children, have been reported, further underscoring the dire circumstances faced by the population.
“The repercussions of this crisis will be long-lasting and severe, with the adverse effects on physical and mental health likely to extend for a lifetime,” emphasized Rizvi, emphasizing the profound impact of sustained deprivation and trauma on the residents of Gaza.
The signatories of the letter, which include prominent organizations like the National Immigrant Justice Center, Human Rights Watch, and Palestine Legal, have issued a stark warning about the potential grave consequences should the administration fail to reverse its course promptly.
“The United States must reaffirm its commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people by reinstating funding to UNRWA without delay. Failure to do so would reflect poorly on this Administration and Congress, tarnishing their legacy,” the letter declared.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the call for decisive action and unwavering support for UNRWA grows more urgent. The international community’s response to this crisis will be a testament to its collective humanity and commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially in the face of dire humanitarian challenges.
