In 2003, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Interpal for its links to Hamas, and the group remains sanctioned in the United States.
UNRWA faced criticism in 2017 when the chairman of its Palestinian workers’ union was allegedly elected to a Hamas leadership position. This wasn’t the first time UNRWA was accused of employing individuals associated with Hamas, leading to the suspension of the union chairman.
Republicans React
In the same year, Hamas-built tunnels, used for the clandestine transportation of fighters and weapons, were discovered under UNRWA schools, prompting calls for more stringent oversight of the schools funded by the relief agency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even called for the dissolution of the agency.
In response to these concerns, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Sen. James Risch (R-ID) introduced legislation earlier this year aimed at cutting U.S. funding to UNRWA due to its “long history of employing those affiliated with Hamas” and its alleged promotion of antisemitism. Their bill requires, among other things, that the relief agency severs ties with groups suspected by the U.S. of having financial links to terrorism.
