Fred Fleitz, vice chair for the America First Policy Institute's Center for American Security, told Newsmax on Friday that the Biden administration knew there was a "high possibility" that Palestinian militant group Hamas would ultimately get funds intended for UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees].
"The real scandal here is that UNRWA's ties to Hamas have been known for many years," Fleitz said during an appearance on "American Agenda." "That's why the Trump administration stopped making payments to UNRWA. When the Biden administration turned those payments back on, they had to get a waiver, and the waiver said there was a high possibility that money the U.S. was giving to UNRWA would go to Hamas. This was a disastrous decision, and I think what's really scandalous is why did it take the Biden administration this long after the Oct. 7 attacks to cut off funding to UNRWA?"
The State Department said Friday that it is troubled by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israel and has paused funding to the agency.
"The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them," spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
When asked why it took the Biden administration so long to cut off UNRWA's funding, Fleitz said the White House does not take appropriate action when it comes to national security.
"This administration is really stubborn in working with the United Nations," he said. "They don't look at proper intelligence on security threats. It's basically national security malpractice. This was a no-brainer. UNRWA's money should have been cut off on Oct. 8 and now we're seeing it being cut off in late January."
Additionally, Fleitz said that UNRWA has historically been "hostile" toward the Jewish state and has played a role in perpetuating regional tensions through educational materials.
"UNRWA has a history of being hostile towards Israel, tolerating really vicious anti-Israel teaching in Palestinian schools," he said. "It's outrageous that this money was turned back on to UNRWA."
The U.N. organization reportedly fired a dozen staff members Friday after Israeli authorities presented evidence showing they were allegedly involved in the Oct. 7 attack.
"To protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.
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Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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