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UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency that operates for the benefit of Palestinian refugees.

Having been founded in 1949, UNRWA is the only UN refugee agency dedicated to a specific area and refugee crisis. 

The organization continues to operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, providing humanitarian aid and education for Palestinians.

However, UNRWA has also come under fire for a number of controversies, such as those who claim it creates dependency rather than resettling refugees and others who claim it promotes antisemitism and incitement against Israel in its educational programs.

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 US President Joe Biden delivers his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 07 March 2024.

Biden signs spending bill which halts UNRWA funding through 2025

 PALESTINIANS GATHER to receive food in the northern Gaza Strip this week, as residents are said to be facing crisis levels of hunger.

Israel must not let Gaza's people starve

Palestinian employees of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) take part in a protest against job cuts by UNRWA, in Gaza City September 19, 2018.

Israeli determination is needed to dismantle UNRWA

By LILAC SIGAN
Members of the 118th Congress raise their right hands as they are sworn into office to serve in the US House of Representatives on the fourth day of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 7, 2023.

House Republicans tout Israel support in $1.1 trillion spending package

 A UNRWA funded school in eastern Jerusalem. January 29, 2024

'UNRWA can be neutral': Report pushes back at Israel's terror allegations

 The UNRWA school gate is pictured in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem in the West Bank, February 5, 2024.

US Congress deal bars US funds to UNRWA until March 2025, sources say

By REUTERS
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh next to his destroyed office (REUTERS/Handout)

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was an UNRWA teacher - former agency official

 Palestinians gather to receive aid outside an UNRWA warehouse as Gaza residents face crisis levels of hunger, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City March 18, 2024.

'Where to donate to Gaza' tops 'donate to' Google searches in the US

 A Palestinian man waits outside of the UNRWA headquarters building in Gaza City on April 6, 2013.

Australian Jewish community responds to country's resumption of UNRWA funding

 Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly speaks at the High-Level Dialogue on the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, in New York City, September 20, 2023, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly

Canadian FM calls for investigation of sexual violence against Palestinian women

 UNRWA boys' prep school, Rafah, Gaza

US pause on funding UN relief agency for Palestinians may become permanent

By REUTERS
 A general view of the Rafah crossing from the Egyptian side with a truck carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, November 12, 2023.

'Lying is a sign of desperation': COGAT slams UNRWA chief's misinformation

 Yahya Sinwar leader of the Palestinian Hamas Islamist movement hosts a meeting with members of Palestinian factions, at Hamas President's office in Gaza City, on April 13, 2022.

IDF sources: Replacement for Hamas won’t work while Sinwar lives

 IDF troops locate Hamas military equipment in the UNRWA Gaza HQ. February 10, 2024.

The US must stop funding terror-affiliated groups like UNRWA - opinion

By EJ KIMBALL

October 7 victims sue UNRWA USA for alleged financial support of Hamas