A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced legislation that would require the State Department to develop a plan to dismantle the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and replace it with alternative organizations while ensuring humanitarian aid continues uninterrupted.

The “Replace UNRWA with Real Humanitarian Assistance Act,” introduced by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), directs the State Department to submit a strategy within 180 days identifying organizations and host governments that could assume UNRWA’s responsibilities throughout the Middle East. The plan would also include a phased timeline for winding down UNRWA’s operations while maintaining humanitarian services and requiring successor organizations to meet standards for neutrality, transparency, and accountability.

If enacted, implementation of the transition would be required to begin within one year.

Lawler said UNRWA has “repeatedly failed to meet the basic standards of accountability and neutrality” expected of humanitarian organizations. Gottheimer added that the United States “can’t keep funneling money through an organization that teaches kids to hate and employs Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7th attack.”

The legislation comes after a June report by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Inspector General found that investigations led to suspension or debarment referrals for more than 100 current or former UNRWA employees accused of participating in the October 7 Hamas attack or maintaining ties to the terror group. The individuals reportedly included school principals, teachers, security personnel, and medical professionals.

The bill has also received backing from several pro-Israel organizations.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)