Biden Administration Sends Millions in Assistance to UNRWA Amid Allegations of Terrorist Ties

Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for FY24
The funds were a result of an emergency request for Gaza and the West Bank following the Oct 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and the war that resulted.
UNRWA is a humanitarian organization that provides shelter, food assistance, protection, settlements in Palestine.
Biden Administration Sends Millions in Assistance to UNRWA Amid Allegations of Terrorist Ties

The Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for FY24 amid allegations of terrorist ties against federal employees prior to the administration's pause of new funding. The funds were a result of an emergency request for Gaza and the West Bank following the Oct 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and the war that resulted. UNRWA is a humanitarian organization that provides shelter, food assistance, protection, settlements in Palestine.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • It's unclear if the funds are being used effectively or falling into the wrong hands.
  • The emergency request for Gaza and West Bank may not be addressing all of the root causes of conflict in Palestine.

Sources

68%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The 8 Days That Roiled the U.N.’s Top Agency in Gaza

The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Patrick Kingsley, Saturday, 03 February 2024 12:22
  • Unique Points
    • The crisis that threatens the future of the main United Nations agency in Gaza began at a routine meeting between diplomats in Tel Aviv.
    • UNRWA is the largest aid agency on the ground in Gaza and provides shelter to more than half of its population. Credit...Haitham Imad/EPA via Shutterstock.
    • 12 employees of UNRWA were accused by Israel of joining Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel or its aftermath, reinforcing Israel's decades-old narrative about the agency being biased against it and influenced by armed groups.
  • Accuracy
    • Israeli military leaders ordered an internal inquiry about how information had reached foreign officials.
    • UNRWA disclosed the intelligence to the United States, not vice versa. The sequence of events began on Jan. 18 when Philippe Lazzarini met with a top Israeli diplomat in Tel Aviv for a routine discussion about aid supplies delivery to Gaza.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the headline implies that there was a crisis at UNRWA when in fact it was just a routine meeting between diplomats. Secondly, the article states that Israel accused UNRWA of bias against Israel and being influenced by Hamas without providing any evidence to support this claim. Thirdly, the article claims that some military leaders did not want to see UNRWA shuttered amidst a humanitarian disaster in Gaza but does not provide any context or explanation for why they felt this way.
    • The headline implies that there was a crisis at UNRWA when in fact it was just a routine meeting between diplomats.
    • The article claims that some military leaders did not want to see UNRWA shuttered amidst a humanitarian disaster in Gaza but does not provide any context or explanation for why they felt this way.
    • The article states that Israel accused UNRWA of bias against Israel and being influenced by Hamas without providing any evidence to support this claim.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the Israeli military's allegations against UNRWA without providing any evidence or context. The author also presents a dichotomous depiction of UNRWA as being biased against Israel and influenced by Hamas when in fact, there are many who support the agency.
    • The article states that Israeli military leaders were so surprised at receiving information about alleged UNRWA employees joining Hamas' attack on Israel or its aftermath. However, this is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts UNRWA as being influenced by Hamas and other armed groups, which is a clear example of religious bias. Additionally, the use of phrases such as 'decades-old narrative' implies that there is an inherent negative view towards Israel based on religion or ideology.
    • The claims reinforced Israel’s decades-old narrative about UNRWA: that it is biased against Israel and influenced by Hamas and other armed groups, charges that the agency strongly rejects.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Patrick Kingsley and Ronen Bergman have a conflict of interest on the topic of UNRWA as they are both Jewish. They also have a personal relationship with Amir Weissbrod who is mentioned in the article.
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        Patrick Kingsley and Ronen Bergman have a conflict of interest on the topics of UNRWA, Israel, Hamas, humanitarian disaster in Gaza and Israeli military. They are both affiliated with Amir Weissbrod who is an advisor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in Lebanon.
        • Patrick Kingsley has a personal relationship with Amir Weissbrod, as he interviewed him for his book 'The Power of Blood'.

        76%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Biden admin sent millions to Hamas-linked UNRWA after Oct 7 attacks, before halting funding

        Fox News Media Jamie Joseph Saturday, 03 February 2024 17:32
        • Unique Points
          • The majority of UNRWA's funding comes from donors other than the United States.
          • 12 employees of UNRWA were accused by Israel of joining Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel or its aftermath, reinforcing Israel's decades-old narrative about the agency being biased against it and influenced by armed groups.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (50%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the Biden administration sent millions to UNRWA after Oct 7 attacks before halting funding. However, this statement is false as it was already earmarked for FY24 prior to the pause and obligated back in mid-November.
          • The article claims that UNRWA received $51 million from an emergency request for Gaza and the West Bank following Oct 7 attacks on Israel. This statement is misleading as it implies that these funds were only given after the attack, when in fact they had been earmarked prior to it.
          • The article states that 'the Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for FY24' before halting funding. However, this is false as it was already earmarked for FY24 prior to the pause.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that UNRWA is a critical humanitarian player in Gaza without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Secondly, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either support UNRWA and its alleged ties to terrorism or cut funding entirely. This oversimplifies the complex issue of aid to Palestine and ignores other potential solutions. Thirdly, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it describes some UNRWA employees as being
          • Bias (85%)
            The article contains examples of monetary bias and religious bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes Palestinians by referring to them as 'displaced' rather than acknowledging their right to self-determination. Additionally, the article implies that UNRWA is directly tied to Hamas terrorists without providing any evidence for this claim.
            • The Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for FY24 amid allegations of terrorist ties against federal employees prior to the administration's pause of new funding.
              • Twelve UNRWA employees were allegedly 'involved' in the Oct. 7 attack, and additional U.S. funding could resume subject to an investigation from the United Nations.
                • UNRWA citing information provided by Israeli authorities fired the accused employees last week and announced an investigation 'to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance'.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of UNRWA as they are reporting on funding for an organization that is linked to Hamas. The article also mentions Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Rep. Chris Smith who have been critical of UNRWA in the past, which could further compromise their ability to report objectively.
                  • The author reports on funding for an organization that is linked to Hamas.

                  76%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  These Utah senators want U.S. to permanently stop funding the UN agency with ties to Hamas

                  Deseret News Gitanjali Poonia Friday, 02 February 2024 22:25
                  • Unique Points
                    • The United States has permanently stopped funding the UN agency with ties to Hamas.
                    • Senate lawmakers wrote a letter calling for permanently halting financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency following intelligence reports that alleged at least 12 employees from the agency were involved in attacks orchestrated by Hamas on Israel.
                    • The U.N. employees with links to Hamas included primary and secondary school teachers as well as others who participated in attacking and kidnapping Israelis, according to documents reviewed by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.
                    • Over 100 of UNRWA's employees were killed in the first few weeks of the war.
                    • The State Department temporarily ordered additional funding for UNRWA until investigations conclude.
                    • White House national security spokesman John Kirby said he hopes that investigation will give more insight into allegations against employees but Republicans called for stricter action in letter.
                    • Senate Republicans have introduced several bills this Congress to permanently stop all contributions to UNRWA, including the UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act.
                    • Rep. John Curtis also introduced a bill that seeks to reevaluate what U.N agencies further US interests are worth funding.
                  • Accuracy
                    • The letter signed by Sen. Mitt Romney noted that Trump administration stopped funding UNRWA, a decision Biden's White House reversed. By giving $370 million to UNRWA since 2021, the U.S has become its largest individual donor despite congressional efforts to halt the aid.
                    • The State Department temporarily ordered additional funding for UNRWA until investigations conclude.
                  • Deception (80%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that at least 12 UNRWA employees were involved in attacks orchestrated by Hamas on Israel. However, this claim is not supported by any evidence presented in the article and appears to be based solely on intelligence reports without providing any context or details about these alleged attacks.
                    • The author states that UNRWA has a history of corruption, antisemitism and support for terrorism. This statement is misleading as it implies that all employees of UNRWA are involved in such activities which is not true.
                    • The author claims that at least 12 UNRWA employees were involved in attacks orchestrated by Hamas on Israel. However, this claim is not supported by any evidence presented in the article and appears to be based solely on intelligence reports without providing any context or details about these alleged attacks.
                  • Fallacies (85%)
                    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the letter signed by senators and stating that it is a fact without providing any evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma when they state that either funding UNRWA permanently should be stopped or not at all, implying there are only two options when in reality there may be more nuanced solutions. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Hamas is involved in terrorism and using words like
                    • The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the letter signed by senators and stating that it is a fact without providing any evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma when they state that either funding UNRWA permanently should be stopped or not at all, implying there are only two options when in reality there may be more nuanced solutions. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Hamas is involved in terrorism and using words like 'abomination' to describe the agency.
                  • Bias (85%)
                    The author has a clear bias against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) due to its alleged ties with Hamas. The author uses language that depicts UNRWA as corrupt, antisemitic and supporting terrorism. Additionally, the author highlights examples of U.S taxpayer money being used for such activities which is a clear example of monetary bias.
                    • The agency has a history of corruption, antisemitism and support for terrorism.
                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      The author of the article has a conflict of interest with UNRWA and Hamas as they are both affiliated with terrorism. The author also has a personal relationship with Senator Mitt Romney who is mentioned in the article.
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        The author has a conflict of interest on the topics of UNRWA and Hamas as they are affiliated with each other. The article also mentions Mitt Romney who is a political opponent to Chuck Schumer and Mike Lee who may have different views on funding for UN agencies.
                        • The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been accused of supporting Hamas, which the U.S. government considers a terrorist organization.

                        71%

                        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                        Biden admin sent millions to Hamas-linked UNRWA after Oct 7 attacks, before halting funding

                        Yahoo News US Jamie Joseph Saturday, 03 February 2024 17:34
                        • Unique Points
                          • The crisis that threatens the future of the main United Nations agency in Gaza began at a routine meeting between diplomats in Tel Aviv.
                          • UNRWA is the largest aid agency on the ground in Gaza and provides shelter to more than half of its population. Credit...Haitham Imad/EPA via Shutterstock.
                          • 12 employees of UNRWA were accused by Israel of joining Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel or its aftermath, reinforcing Israel's decades-old narrative about the agency being biased against it and influenced by armed groups.
                        • Accuracy
                          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                        • Deception (50%)
                          The article is deceptive in that it implies the Biden administration sent millions to UNRWA after Oct. 7 attacks and before halting funding when in fact they had already earmarked $51 million for FY24 prior to the pause. The funds were a result of an emergency request for Gaza and the West Bank following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and the war that resulted.
                          • The article states:
                        • Fallacies (85%)
                          The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that some UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Secondly, there is a dichotomous depiction of UNRWA as both being directly tied to Hamas terrorists and providing much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories, which contradicts each other. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that some politicians criticized the spending following the State Department's pause in funding without providing any examples or context for this claim.
                          • The article states that UNRWA is directly tied to Hamas terrorists but also provides much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories. This creates a dichotomous depiction of the organization and contradicts itself.
                        • Bias (85%)
                          The article contains a clear example of monetary bias. The author states that the Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to UNRWA for FY24 before halting funding due to allegations of terrorist ties against federal employees. This implies that there is an inherent negative association with sending money and supporting organizations, which could be seen as a form of monetary bias.
                          • The Biden administration sent millions in government assistance to UNRWA for FY24 before halting funding.
                          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            The article by Jamie Joseph contains multiple examples of conflicts of interest. The author has a financial tie to UNRWA as they mention that $300,000 had been approved for the organization but not yet obligated due to a pause in funding. Additionally, the article mentions Hamas terrorist attacks and war resulting from them which could be seen as bias towards one side of an ongoing conflict.
                            • Additionally, the article mentions Hamas terrorist attacks and war resulting from them which could be seen as bias towards one side of an ongoing conflict.
                              • The author has a financial tie to UNRWA as they mention that $300,000 had been approved for the organization but not yet obligated due to a pause in funding.
                              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of UNRWA as they are reporting on funding for the organization. The article mentions that $300,000 had been approved for UNRWA but not yet obligated as a result of the pause in new funding.
                                • The author reports that $51 million was sent to Hamas-linked UNRWA after Oct 7 attacks on Israel. This is an example of financial ties.