Enlarge image
Destroyed UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City
Photo:
AFP
In its new budget draft, the US Congress has spoken out against any further financial aid for the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, which has come under criticism. The U.S. budget compromise released by Congress on Thursday states that the U.S. government will not be allowed to provide funds to UNRWA in 2024 or 2025 "that will be used for contributions, grants or other payments."
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the package "halts funding for the UN relief agency that employed terrorists involved in the October 7 attacks against Israel."
At the end of January, serious allegations against UNRWA became known: Twelve employees are suspected of being involved in the unprecedented attack on Israel by the radical Islamic Hamas on October 7th. In response, numerous important donors stopped their payments to the aid organization, including the USA and Germany.
Both the Republican-led House of Representatives and the Democratic-led Senate are expected to approve the bill.
Earlier this month, Congress had already passed the budget for a number of federal agencies. However, some votes are still pending - the deadline is Friday night at midnight.
Although the US fiscal year began more than five months ago, President Biden's Democrats and the opposition Republicans in Congress were unable to agree on a regular budget. Instead, they passed a series of interim budgets to prevent a shutdown - a temporary closure of authorities.