The Biden administration has communicated to Arab-American community leaders in Michigan that it plans to wait for the conclusion of an internal investigation by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) before resuming aid to the organization, according to officials.
Samantha Power, the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development, and other senior US officials visited Michigan, addressing concerns about President Joe Biden’s policy on Israel, his handling of the Gaza conflict, and military aid.
During discussions, officials expressed the US commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians but stated they would await the completion of the UNWRA investigation before deciding on aid resumption.
UNRWA Seeking For Aid (Credits: Asharq Al-Awsat)
The investigation is related to Israel’s accusations against 12 UNRWA employees in Gaza allegedly involved in the Hamas-led assault. Sixteen countries suspended funding to UNRWA in response to these allegations.
While officials acknowledged “mistakes and missteps” in the situation, no commitment was made to push President Biden, even privately, to call for a ceasefire in the region.
Despite expectations of a shift in the President’s language, attendees emphasized the need for concrete actions to save lives. The military offensive by Israel began after an incident involving the Hamas group, resulting in a significant death toll and injuries in Gaza.
The Health Ministry reports thousands of Palestinians killed and injured, with ongoing revelations challenging Israel’s claims. Only one truce, lasting a week at the end of November, has occurred since the conflict began.
