Chronicle poll results: Suspending UNRWA funding
We asked our readers if they agreed with the decision by the U.S. and other countries to suspend funding to UNRWA. Here's what they said.
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Do you agree with the decision by the U.S. and other countries to suspend funding to UNRWA after it was revealed that 13 of its employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel?” Of the 325 people who responded, 88% said yes; 7% said no; and 5% said they weren’t sure. Comments were submitted by 78 people. A few follow.
Anyone who was surprised to learn about UNRWA’s involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks has not been paying attention to the actions of this organization over the past 30 years. This is completely on-brand for UNRWA.
Civilians are literally dying and do need aid. But the implicated UNRWA employees should be arrested and charged, not just fired!
UNRWA needs to be eliminated and taken over by the main UN agency for refugee settlement. No more generational refugee program, no incentive to resettle refugees.
The U.S. should defund all aid to organizations that support terrorism.
UNRWA has 30,000 employees and provides vital services to Palestinians. The claims that 13 employees (less than 0.1% of the staff) were involved in the Hamas attacks have not been validated and are still under investigation.
It is still a charitable organization, and it apparently ousted the offending members.
Not only that, but we should suspend all of our UN funding. UNRWA has been part of the problem for decades, not part of the solution, and the broader UN has a long track record of injustice and terrorist coddling. Those 13 are the very tip of a very large iceberg.
UNWRA’s role in promoting antisemitism through its children’s textbooks is reason enough to dismantle the organization. It would have been more surprising to regular observers if UNRWA personnel hadn’t participated.
UNRWA should have been dissolved long ago when funding was not reaching the residents of Gaza.
Unfortunately, documentation of UNWRA collusion with Hamas in the forms of graphic photos and other evidence won’t sway public opinion. It is correct action on the part of the USA to cease funding terrorist organizations. I am sure it will come to light that more than 13 UNWRA employees were involved. This is nothing new. PJC
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