By: Jeffrey Winograd
Image by travis1776 from Pixabay
Key Points:
- Comer bypasses availability of GAO.
- Contents of letter to Blinken.
- Suggestions for request to GAO.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee majority on February 16 took a long overdue swing at Secretary of State Antony Blinken for greenlighting the Biden administration’s restoration of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in 2021.
Against the backdrop of revelations in the Gaza Strip about Hamas operatives consorting with employees of the UN agency, Republicans on the House panel led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY) informed Blinken it has initiated a probe of the decision-making that resulted in renewing the UNRWA funding that was cancelled during the Trump administration.
The reason the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – the premier, non-partisan watchdog agency which is readily available to respond to a congressional request to conduct an investigation – has not been called on is unclear but assumptions can be made. Politics.
This reporter recently queried the GAO about its availability for preparing a report regarding UNRWA. “We have not so far received any new Congressional requests to examine the issues, though the latest media reports are very recent developments,” replied Latesha Love-Grayer, director, International Affairs and Trade, at GAO on February 13. “But we will monitor the situation and stand ready to support the Congress as needed.”
The Letter to Blinken
“The deeply concerning allegations surrounding UNRWA staff [prior to, during and after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks] include participation in the kidnapping of Israeli and foreign nationals visiting or residing in Israel, procuring weapons or coordinating logistics for Hamas, and participating in the murder of civilians at a kibbutz,” was cited by the Oversight Committee majority’s letter to justify its probe.
“All of [the related] allegations, many of which predate the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, call into question whether the Biden Administration adequately reviewed its decision to renew funding to UNRWA. The latest revelations of UNRWA’s ties to terror groups warrant greater scrutiny of the Biden Administration’s decision in April 2021 to partner with the agency,” continued the lawmakers in their letter to Blinken.
The legislators have asked Blinken to provide:
- Documents and communications between or among any State Department official and the White House relating to the decision to resume funding.
- Documents and communications demonstrating the safeguards in place to present U.S. aid designated for UNRWA from funding or providing material support for terrorists or terrorist organizations.
- Documents and communications related to or discussing the diversion of UNRWA funds or resources by Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization.
However, these requests fall far short of what is essential to know and what the GAO is well-equipped to provide.
Politics Versus Policy
Critics of the Republican move have been quick to jump into the fray with accusations that the probe reeks of politics and has nothing to do with policy.
There is a proper response to such complaints coming from Democratic quarters. Craft a well-thought-out request to the GAO to undertake an in-depth study of the entire issue of funding UNWRA and possible alternatives.
Here are some suggestions for issues the GAO should be asked to address:
- What constitutes comprehensive vetting of UNWRA personnel, recipients and contractors.
- The content and adequacy of the “Framework for Cooperation Between UNRWA and the U.S.A. 2023-24.”
- The definition of “all possible measures,” as used in Section 301(c), that UNWRA must take to prevent misuse of U.S. financial aid. If not defined, why not?
- The adequacy of UNRWA checks of “neutrality” of its staff/personnel, beneficiaries, installations, and contractors/vendors/non-state donors.
- The reasons for the State Department accepting the “neutrality” checks against the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List and not up-to-date U.S. lists. The last update on the Security Council List was on February 4, 2024. The only names to appear are ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaida.
- The adequacy of required UNRWA self-reporting pursuant to the “Framework.”
Why are Rep. Comer and his colleagues waiting to call on the GAO while also conducting their own investigation?
This article was originally published on February 19 on Substack.
Un-American Activities 