Sen. Blackburn Demands Investigation Into Allegations of Hostage Held in Home of UNRWA Worker

By Hamodia Staff

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn called for a full investigation Monday, following reports that an Israeli hostage was held prisoner inside the home of a teacher employed by the U.N. in Gaza.

Blackburn wrote a letter, which she later shared with Fox News, addressing Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) office in Jordan.

Blackburn details a history of antisemitism and terrorist-supporting activities funded by the UNRWA, despite outwardly committing to not doing so.

Outraged, Blackbrun wrote “The U.S. will not be complicit in propping up Hamas’ terrorism.”

Below is a complete text of the letter:

Dear Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Commissioner-General Lazzarini:

I am writing to you regarding a recent disturbing report that an Israeli hostage was held inside
Gaza for nearly 50 days in the attic of a a teacher employed by the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). According to Israeli journalist Almog
Boker, “this is a father of 10 children who locked the abductee in the attic, hardly provided him
with food, and did not provide him with medicine.”

Then, after the publication of Mr. Boker’s report, UNRWA demanded that the Israeli journalist “immediately delete the post” and provide more information about the incident. These allegations hardly come as a surprise given UNRWA’s history of antisemitism. Prior reporting indicates that UNRWA has employed individuals affiliated with Hamas including graduating at least 100 Hamas terrorists from its schools. UNRWA facilities have been used to store weapons and as part of terrorist operations. Following the October 7 terror attacks against Israel, certain UNRWA staffers “immediately celebrated and justified” Hamas’ actions. We also know that for over a decade, Hamas has stolen aid from the UNRWA intended for the Palestinian people, including fuel and medical equipment following the October 7 attacks.

The United States will not be complicit in propping up Hamas’ terrorism, and this report further
proves why deep change is necessary within UNRWA before we even consider providing
another dollar to the agency. Additionally, it is deeply concerning that, despite the prevalence of
these reports, the United Nations has seemingly done nothing to investigate or prevent the
siphoning of UNRWA funding by terrorists. And UNRWA continues to double down on its
claims that each subsequent, documented report is “unsubstantiated.”

By December 18, please provide answers to the following questions:

1. Was the captor referenced in Almog Boker’s report a current or former employee of
   UNRWA?
2. Has the alleged incident been thoroughly investigated by UNRWA? If yes, please
   describe that investigation and your findings in detail. If no, please state why not.
3. Has the alleged incident been thoroughly investigated by the UN? If yes, please describe
   that investigation and your findings in detail. If no, please state why not.
4. What is UNRWA’s process for ensuring their employees are not simultaneously working
   with Hamas or other terrorist organizations? Please provide specific details about how
   employees are screened for affiliations with terrorist organizations.
5. What is UNRWA’s process for ensuring that its facilities are not used to support terrorist
   activities?
6. The “2023-2024 U.S.-UNRWA Framework for Cooperation” states that “UNRWA
   commits to take all possible measures to ensure funding provided by the United States to
   UNRWA does not provide assistance to, or otherwise support, terrorists or terrorist
   organizations.” Please explain in detail what measures UNRWA is taking pursuant to the
   Framework to prevent the diversion of humanitarian assistance to terrorist organizations.
7. Has the UN investigated any prior reports about the potential links between UNRWA and
   terrorist organizations such as Hamas? If yes, please describe those investigations and
   your findings in detail. If no, please state why not.
8. What types of oversight does the UN provide over UNRWA? Please document the
   specific processes you have put into place to ensure UNRWA personnel, facilities, and
   resources are not used to support terrorists or terrorist organizations.
   Sincerely,

Marsha Blackburn
United States Senator