Advocate

take action: restore US government funding for UNRWA

As the new Congress convenes, we must act now to identify and rally as many members as possible who align themselves with UNRWA’s humanitarian and human development mission. Unfortunately, not only are UNRWA detractors in the United States working to block future US funding to UNRWA, but efforts are also underway in Israel to dismantle the Agency.

The Israeli lawmaking body, the Knesset, passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in the areas of annexed East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank within 90 days. Israeli lawmakers also voted to declare UNRWA a “terror group,” effectively banning any direct interaction between the UN Agency and the State of Israel.

Time is running out. These laws are set to be implemented by the end of January. If implemented, this dangerous legislation would dismantle the entire humanitarian operation in Gaza and would create a terrible global precedent for all UN agencies providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones.

But there’s hope. UNRWA supporters in Congress, including Reps. Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky in the House of Representatives, and Senators Welch, Sanders, Van Hollen, Klobuchar, and Hirono in the Senate are leading the charge to restore US funding for UNRWA through the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act.

You can help bring the United States back as UNRWA’s top donor by reaching out to your representatives and urging them to co-sponsor this critical piece of legislation. By doing so, you can help secure the support needed to restore US government funding for UNRWA and the life-saving services it provides to Palestine refugees.

Fill out the form below to send a pre-drafted message to your elected officials: