OPINION:
JERUSALEM — Congress in March passed an appropriations package that included a one-year ban on funding the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians after it was learned 14 of the aid workers had collaborated with Hamas terrorists on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. A handful of other nations have done similarly.
But as backlash against Israel’s attempt to eradicate Hamas grows, and the politics of governments shift from compassion for the Jewish people to compassion for the Palestinians in Gaza, UNRWA funding is buzzing once again.
“Don’t Give Up on UNRWA,” Foreign Policy wrote in late March. That piece went on to opine that the “agency, which goes to great lengths to remain neutral, is Palestinians’ only hope.”
Actually, the Palestinian people are the Palestinians’ only hope — meaning, they must commit to quit supporting terror, either openly or indirectly, in order to have a future. But the Foreign Policy feel-good push is having an effect.
“Japan resumes funding to UNRWA for its ‘indispensable’ aid work in Gaza,” The Times of Israel wrote this week.
That opens the door for $35 million from Japan to Hamas, to terrorists, to terrorism purposes, under the guise of helping the poor, innocent Palestinian civilians. It’s not exactly the high-dollar amount America was providing; until the Oct. 7 attack, and except for Donald Trump’s administration — then-President Trump stopped State funding of the U.N. group — America gave between $300 million and $400 million a year. But it’s a sign of governments’ growing dissatisfaction with Israel’s refusal to cease its attack on Hamas strongholds.
It’s a sign the Hamas propaganda plan of showing the plight of Palestinians is working.
It’s a sign the world has shifted its priorities for protecting the innocents in Israel who were savagely attacked by terrorists on Oct. 7, to that of protecting so-called innocents in Gaza — so-called because they aren’t exactly innocent. Palestinians in Gaza voted for Hamas in the first place; Palestinians in Gaza cheered Hamas post-Oct. 7, even after the brutality of the terrorists’ attacks on Jews of all ages and both sexes were made clear; Palestinians in Gaza to this day continue to support the Hamas fight against Israel.
“Palestinian poll shows a rise in Hamas support and close to 90% wanting US-backed Abbas to resign,” The Associated Press reported in December.
“Poll Reveals Persistent Palestinian Support for Hamas Attacks on Israel,” The Media Line wrote in April.
Innocent Palestinians?
The tunnels dug by Hamas and found by Israeli troops in Gaza connect to the vast majority of buildings in the region — including homes, including homes where, air quote, innocent, end air quote, Palestinian civilians lived. And much of the cement used to build those tunnels comes by way of aid to Gaza — aid to the Palestinian people — aid that flows, for example, through UNRWA.
M.K. Sharren Haskel of the National Unity Party in Israel said all funding to UNRWA should stop because it’s a key means that the terrorists use to spread their terror. And she’s right. It’s not rocket science.
Funding terrorists funds terror.
Expecting that funds sent to areas controlled by terrorists will actually make it into the hands of civilians for food, medical care, housing and the like is about as reasonable as expecting that terrorists can be persuaded by diplomacy to lay down arms. If you believe that — boy, do I have a tunnel to sell you.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Lockdown: The Socialist Plan To Take Away Your Freedom,” is available by clicking HERE or clicking HERE or CLICKING HERE.
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