The time has come to confront the uncomfortable reality surrounding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). With accusations that its 30,000 workers are acting as soldiers in a war against the Jews, a critical examination of UNRWA’s origins and activities is long overdue.

Initiated by the 1948 UN mediator Folke Bernadotte, UNRWA’s conceptualization of the “Inalienable Right of Return to Palestine” stands in stark contrast to the Jewish aspiration of the Return to Zion, later enshrined in Israel’s Law of Return. It’s time to acknowledge UNRWA as a hostile organization and investigate the criminal responsibility of the UNRWA Commissioner General, particularly considering the discovery of significant quantities of weaponry inside UNRWA schools, as reported to the Israel Knesset Lobby for UNRWA Policy Change.

Calling for a criminal investigation at the Hague, focusing on UNRWA’s direct involvement in terror actions, is a crucial step towards accountability. A member of the Knesset could catalyze this process by gathering evidence and presenting charges of war crimes committed by UNRWA to the UN Secretary General.

Simultaneously, reactivating the dormant Refugee Working Group (RWG), composed of UNRWA donors overseeing its $1.6 billion budget, is imperative. The investigation should scrutinize the transparency of these funds, the majority of which are received in cash and remain unaccounted for. A renewed RWG should also vet UNRWA employees associated with terror organizations, ensuring compliance with the laws of donor nations prohibiting assistance to any terror entity.

Moreover, aligning UNRWA’s policies with those of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) could pave the way for the permanent resettlement of the 4th and 5th generations of Palestinian Arab refugees. UNRWA’s longstanding policy of prioritizing the “Right of Return” has contributed to the perpetuation of refugee status, with implications for over 5 million descendants of refugees.

The indoctrination of violence in UNRWA schools, constituting 58% of the UNRWA budget, is indefensible. Despite the UN’s educational motto, “Peace begins Here,” a thorough check for weaponry in all UNRWA facilities, cessation of weapons training for students, and the removal of texts glorifying mass murderers should be non-negotiable demands.

It is a moment for decisive action, transparency, and accountability. The world must address the troubling aspects of UNRWA’s operations to ensure a more just and secure future for the refugees it serves.

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