Joe Biden to sign budget bill which halts UNRWA funding to 2025

The invoice also eliminates funding for the UN Committee of Inquiry against Israel. It funds the annual US safety commitment of $3.3 billion for Israel, which allocates funding for the Iron Dome and other defensive techniques.

“The historic ban on US funding to @UNRWA that handed right now with awesome bipartisan help demonstrates what we knew all alongside: UNRWA is a part of the issue and cannot be a part of the answer. UNRWA is not going to be part of Gaza’s panorama within the aftermath of Hamas,” Israel’s Overseas Minister Israel Katz stated in a publication on X.

“Hundreds of UNRWA staff are concerned about Hamas terror actions, and their amenities have been used for terrorist functions. I urge other nations to observe the US and ban funding to this group. Thanks, @SpeakerJohnson, @RepJeffries @SenSchumer @LeaderMcConnell in your management and continued bipartisan help of Israel throughout our simple battle in opposition to Hamas murderous terrorist regime,” Katz added.

President Joe Biden’s administration stated in January it was briefly pausing new funding to the United Nations Aid and Works Company for Palestine Refugees within the Close to East (UNRWA) after Israel accused 12 of the company’s 13,000 staff in Gaza of collaborating with the lethal Oct. 7 Hamas assault.

Extra options for the bill

The invoice additionally forces the UN and different worldwide organizations funded within the invoice to evaluate and report on efforts to fight anti-Israel bias and antisemitism and to vet personnel for connections to terrorist teams; the Act withholds funds from the UN Human Rights Council to carry it accountable for blatant anti-Israel actions and reform the Council’s election course of to forestall human rights abusers from turning into members.

Progressive law-makers reactions to the bill

Several progressive US lawmakers voted in opposition to the invoice, criticizing its defunding of UNRWA and army help for Israel.

“Regardless of the various good provisions included within the invoice, I couldn’t help the invoice’s unconscionable elimination of humanitarian help for two million individuals going through imminent hunger and demise due to Israel’s battle in opposition to Hamas,” Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) posted Friday on X after the Home voted on the invoice.

Carson stated he can work with his colleagues on new laws to revive UNRWA funding and continue efforts for an everlasting ceasefire.

On X, Rep. Pramilia Jayapal stated, “GOP dysfunction has led to a flawed funding course. They produced a bill that will increase already bloated Pentagon funds, promote dangerous immigration coverage, and cut off funding to UNRWA, which is why I voted no on this funding bill.”

“The spending bundle included a provision to chop funding to UNRWA. We all know this may possible imply a demise sentence for 1.1 million individuals in Gaza going through imminent threats of famine. Voted NO,” Rep. Ilan Omar (D-MN) stated.