UNRWA Officials Lobby Congress to Oppose Trump Administration’s Threatened Terrorist Designation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Officials from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) recently engaged with congressional staffers to oppose a potential designation of the agency as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. The briefing, held virtually on December 17 and organized by UNRWA USA, the American nonprofit that advocates and raises funds for the agency, sought to clarify UNRWA’s continued humanitarian presence in Gaza and the West Bank despite political pressures.
UNRWA USA Executive Director Mara Kronenfeld opened the session by emphasizing that, despite what she described as “the Netanyahu government’s insidious efforts to systematically prevent UNRWA from continuing its life-saving humanitarian work,” the agency remains operational on the ground. The briefing also addressed reports that the U.S. government was considering a designation that would mark an unprecedented and unwarranted classification of the agency as a terrorist organization.
Such a move would represent a significant shift in U.S. policy toward UNRWA, which since its founding in 1949 has provided education, health care, and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees. The agency’s work is critical in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, where ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises have left many vulnerable populations dependent on its assistance.
UNRWA officials detailed the scope of their operations, including cash-based assistance programs designed to support the most vulnerable families. They also discussed the broader implications of a terrorist designation, which could severely restrict UNRWA’s ability to operate and jeopardize funding streams from international donors.
The briefing took place amid heightened tensions in the region and increasing scrutiny of the agency’s role. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Israel, recently expressed openness to working with the United Nations but explicitly excluded UNRWA from future aid delivery to Palestinians, signaling a shift in U.S. diplomatic posture.
UNRWA’s efforts to influence congressional opinion come as the agency faces mounting challenges. The U.S. Department of State, which oversees foreign policy and international aid, plays a pivotal role in determining whether such a designation is enacted. Congressional offices were briefed on possible legislative and diplomatic steps to counteract the move, underscoring the agency’s reliance on U.S. political support.
Experts note that designating UNRWA as a terrorist organization would be without precedent and could destabilize humanitarian aid frameworks in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The U.S. Department of State has historically been a major contributor to UNRWA funding, alongside other international partners.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency continues to emphasize its commitment to neutrality and humanitarian principles. The agency’s mandate includes providing essential services to over five million registered Palestinian refugees, a task complicated by political disputes and security concerns.
As congressional staffers digest the information presented, the debate over UNRWA’s future in U.S. foreign policy remains contentious. The potential terrorist designation could have far-reaching consequences for peace efforts and humanitarian conditions in the Middle East.
For now, UNRWA’s leadership is focused on rallying support within the U.S. government to prevent what they call an unwarranted and damaging decision. The agency’s advocacy efforts, including the recent briefing, highlight the complex intersection of humanitarian aid and geopolitics in Washington.
More information about U.S. foreign assistance policies can be found through the U.S. Agency for International Development, which works closely with the State Department on international aid programs. The coming weeks will be critical as policymakers weigh the implications of this potential designation amid ongoing regional instability.
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