(SeaPRwire) –
By: Julian Holbrooke
The US’s demand to defund UNRWA isn’t a humanitarian call—it’s a power play to rewrite Gaza’s governance rules. Let’s cut through the noise: this isn’t about rooting out Hamas infiltration. It’s about replacing a UN-mandated agency with a US-led body that answers to Washington, not the General Assembly.
Official statements tell one story. US Ambassador Jeff Bartos called UNRWA a “subsidiary of Hamas” at July’s pledging conference. He cited allegations of UNRWA employees joining the Oct7, 2023 attack and accused schools of indoctrinating kids. He pushed donors to fund the Board of Peace, a Trump-era US initiative for transitional governance. But the subtext is clearer: the Board of Peace is a tool to install a Palestinian technocracy aligned with US interests. It bypasses UN oversight, putting Washington in the driver’s seat of Gaza’s future.
Another set of official facts reveals more. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric defended UNRWA’s mandate, saying it took strong action on infiltration claims. The UK pledged £23M, France €123M since 2023, and supported Colonna review reforms. UN Watch demanded waiving former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini’s immunity over ignored Hamas warnings. The geopolitical intent here? Europe’s support isn’t just about aid—it’s a pushback against US unilateralism. France’s gradual transfer plan is a middle finger to Washington’s all-or-nothing approach. UN Watch’s move? It’s a proxy attack to discredit UNRWA, aligning with US goals to weaken the UN’s role in Gaza.
This row won’t end with a funding decision. It will split the international community further. The US will double down on its Board of Peace. Europe will cling to UNRWA, pushing for reforms. Gaza’s refugees? They’ll be the ones paying the price as aid flows get tangled in geopolitical games.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, an overseas international relations analyst who contributes to major European daily newspapers.