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Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) sent a letter to Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, requesting he testify publicly before the committee regarding the many troubling allegations leveled at UNRWA, including that employees participated in Hamas’ brutal October 7 attacks, which killed more than 1,200 innocent people. The letter follows a statement made in January by Chairman McCaul demanding Lazzarini testify publicly regarding these allegations. The Members previously sent a letter to Lazzarini requesting answers about reports that Hamas diverted food, fuel, and supplies from UNRWA humanitarian relief efforts. 

“[On] January 30th, the Committee received public testimony from subject matter experts who testified to these recent allegations and other past UNRWA failures,” wrote the lawmakers. “Their statements stand in sharp contrast to UNRWA’s claims. Given their critical testimony, the allegations of connections to Hamas terrorists, and the millions of taxpayer dollars already sent to UNRWA this fiscal year, it is now more important than ever that the American people hear from you directly in a public setting.”

 

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

 

Dear Mr. Philippe Lazzarini:

Thank you for your January 25, 2024, letter indicating your willingness to appear before the members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in a closed, members-only setting. The letter cites UN privileges and immunities that forebear you from being compelled to testify in an open session.

With regards to your letter, we must first point out that UN privileges and immunities do not forbear voluntary testimony. Second, many members of this Committee are gravely concerned, but sadly, unsurprised, by allegations that employees of UNRWA participated in the horrendous October 7th attack and that thousands of employees have familial or direct ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Furthermore, we are outraged by recent reporting that a Hamas military installation and server room is located directly beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. To make matters worse, Hamas operated this installation by siphoning electricity from UNRWA.

While we support the pause of future funding to UNRWA, we know that the agency has received roughly $121 million in funding from the State Department since October 1, 2023. Moreover, on January 30th, the Committee received public testimony from subject matter experts who testified to these recent allegations and other past UNRWA failures. Their statements stand in sharp contrast to UNRWA’s claims.

Given their critical testimony, the allegations of connections to Hamas terrorists, and the millions of taxpayer dollars already sent to UNRWA this fiscal year, it is now more important than ever that the American people hear from you directly in a public setting.

Therefore, we request that you appear voluntarily before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to testify at a public hearing. While you initially indicated this was untenable, we will note that you appeared before the European Parliament on September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, for an Exchange of Views in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). If you are willing to appear before the AFET, you surely can and would be willing to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee especially given the United States’ long term and considerable financial support to UNRWA.

Please indicate your willingness and availability to appear voluntarily for a public hearing by no later than March 14, 2024.


House Foreign Affairs Committee leaders called on the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to testify before the committee about concerns that U.S.-funded aid flowing into Gaza is being diverted by Hamas.

Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) wrote to UNRWA’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, on Wednesday raising concerns about reports that Hamas has stolen food and other supplies during the recent war.

“There have been a number of concerning reports that have called into question the very mission and effectiveness of UNRWA,” the lawmakers wrote. “We must be clear-eyed about the reality that diversion by Hamas is a real threat and one that is very likely happening with UNRWA aid… Our constituents are horrified that their taxpayer dollars may have, through UNRWA failures, supported Hamas terrorists.’

The lawmakers highlighted that there is a documented history of Hamas stealing U.S. aid, and said that the U.N. agency has a track record of failing to remain neutral in its work in Gaza.

They specifically highlighted Hamas tunnels found in and around UNRWA schools and reports that an Israeli hostage was held in an UNRWA teacher’s home, as well as numerous instances of UNRWA employees sharing antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric.

“Assessments by NGOs continue to reveal anti-Israel content in educational materials used in UNRWA schools, which increases our concern that UNRWA, through this curriculum, has in some way aided Hamas’ call to destroy Israel,” the letter continues.

The House members asked the UNRWA leader to respond to their request by next Wednesday.

An HFAC subcommittee held a hearing with outside experts on potential reforms to the U.N. agency in November, following long-running efforts from lawmakers to reform or defund the U.N. agency. House Republicans are seeking to cut UNRWA funding entirely in 2024.

“Make no mistake, antisemitic bigotry is at the root of the UN’s hostility to Israel, which is ugly, evil, and manifests itself in almost every UN entity, especially and including UNRWA,” Smith, who chaired the November hearing, said in a statement.

JANUARY 19, 2024