It is indisputable that UNWRA has been a bad actor in the Gaza Strip for decades, undermining itsstated mission by engaging in corruption, promoting antisemitic propaganda in schools, and being complicit in terrorism. The agency's longtime betrayal of its mandate and the neutral stancecentral to that is a crime against the people it was established to serve. For that reason, the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauds Israel’s decision to cease its cooperation with UNRWA andcommends Ambassador Dorothy Shea and the US Mission to the United Nations for their unequivocal stance in defense of that decision.
There is no justification for continuing to funnel aid through an organization whose deep ties to Hamas render itunfit to serve as a humanitarian body. And time is of the essence—every dollar channeled to UNRWA risks strengthening Hamas’ death grip over the people of Gaza instead of providing them thehumanitarian relief they desperately need.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center stands firm: Humanitarian aid must not be weaponized. We urge the international community toimmediately redirect aid to alternative channels that will deliver essential medical care, education, and assistance to the civilians of Gaza without fueling hatred, antisemitism,and violence. As Ambassador Shea rightly stated, “UNRWA is not and never has been the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza.”
The only path to lasting peace is the establishment of a civil administration in Gaza that prioritizes the genuine needs of itspeople rather than the eradication of Israel. The Simon Wiesenthal Center calls on all UN member states to end the cycle of complicity and to support civil institutions in Gazathat are truly humanitarian.
For further information, please emailErik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, Deborah Camiel at dcamiel@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, orfollow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitterfeed.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rightsorganization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).