Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Washington has been accompanied by a controversial decision from two Republican lawmakers who are withholding $75 million in aid from Palestinians. Humanitarian groups are warning that this move could lead to starvation and violence in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are already suffering under a 15-year Israeli blockade. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has highlighted the particular risk faced by half a million children in the region.
In a letter signed by 25 organizations, including Oxfam America and Refugees International, the humanitarian groups expressed their concerns to Rep. Michael McCaul and Sen. Jim Risch, the top Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The aid for Palestinians was approved by legislators last year, but McCaul and Risch have put a hold on the funds, with McCaul even pausing over $400 million in United Nations funding.
A representative for Sen. Risch put the responsibility for releasing the funds on President Joe Biden and expressed doubts about the Sept. 1 deadline described as vital by UNRWA. Risch’s concerns about UNRWA, which he has raised for years, stem from his desire for more verification that the agency is not promoting antisemitism or aiding Palestinian militants.
The contrasting treatment of President Herzog and the Palestinians by U.S. politicians highlights the lack of an even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Republicans have taken a harsher stance towards Palestinians, while Democrats have called for a more balanced approach that considers Palestinian autonomy and challenges Israeli settlement expansion and military actions.
Supporters of aid to Palestinians argue that it is a moral imperative and that partisan differences should not affect humanitarian assistance. They fear that withholding aid will only create more suffering and fuel dissatisfaction on the ground. While Israel has its own criticisms of UNRWA, the country acknowledges the need for assistance in Gaza, where the dire living conditions push residents toward anti-Israel factions.
The situation in Gaza is already grave, with one of the highest unemployment rates globally and the majority of the population relying on international assistance for nutritional needs. The delay in U.S. funding, combined with the suspension of aid from other organizations, could lead to a humanitarian disaster and regional instability. UNRWA is urging Sen. Risch and Rep. McCaul to consider the immediate consequences of their decision and work towards a long-term solution.
The urgency of the situation and the potentially devastating impact on Palestinians in Gaza may sway Sen. Risch and lead to a reconsideration of his hold on the aid. Advocates hope that he will accept assurances regarding vetting procedures and find alternative ways to address his concerns about UNRWA. Meetings between UNRWA and the staff of both lawmakers have taken place, emphasizing the non-political nature of the funding, which is solely earmarked for food assistance for a desperate population.
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