In a significant move, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order halting U.S. involvement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and terminating funding for the U.N. relief agency that serves Gaza, known as UNRWA. This decision comes as he prepares for discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump criticized the U.N. for its inefficiency, stating that the organization “has to get their act together.”
The U.S. has a history of accusing the Human Rights Council of bias against Israel while ignoring the abuses by other countries. Recently, the Biden administration froze UNRWA funding amid allegations of its staff’s involvement in Hamas’s terrorist activities against Israel on October 7, 2023. Previously, Trump had withdrawn the U.S. from the Council, but Biden rejoined it; nonetheless, the U.S. currently stands as an observer.
The Council consists of 47 member states, including countries notorious for human rights violations, such as Cuba, China, and Russia. Over the weekend, 14 European countries’ parliament members urged U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to disband UNRWA after a freed Israeli hostage claimed to have been held in one of its facilities by Hamas.
Emily Damari, the British-Israeli hostage, recounted her ordeal to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reporting mistreatment by Hamas while she was held captive. In response, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma emphasized their call for independent investigations into these serious allegations of misuse of their facilities by armed groups, including Hamas.
Recently, an Israeli ban against UNRWA came into effect, leading to the evacuation of international staff, with the agency warning this could hamper efforts in Gaza during ongoing Israeli offensives. UNRWA, as the main aid provider for affected Palestinians, has faced scrutiny following internal reviews that led to the firing of several employees linked to the attacks.
In approval of Trump’s latest decisions, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, asserted that the Council has failed to uphold human rights, instead fostering anti-Semitism. He also criticized UNRWA for its perceived alignment with Hamas. Conversely, Arab diplomats from pivotal U.S. allies expressed support for UNRWA, highlighting its essential role in humanitarian efforts and firmly rejecting any diminishment of its responsibilities.
President Trump signed an order halting U.S. engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and banning funding for UNRWA, linking these actions to his upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This decision comes amidst past allegations against UNRWA of ties with Hamas and reflects ongoing biases the U.S. perceives in the Human Rights Council. The international community remains divided on the ramifications of these developments.
Trump’s recent orders signal a definitive break from U.N. involvement, fueled by long-held beliefs regarding the organization’s inefficacy and bias. The fallout includes not only financial consequences for UNRWA but also reflects the wider geopolitical tensions surrounding Israel and Palestine. Meanwhile, both Israeli representatives and Arab nations hold firmly divergent views on the implications of these actions, emphasizing the complexity of human rights advocacy within the realm of international relations.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
