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Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen Breaks with J Street Over U.S. Aid to UNRWA
Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a bold and highly significant move, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) has publicly opposed U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), marking a sharp departure from one of her previous supporters, J Street, a left wing advocacy group that is highly critical of Israel. The disagreement centers on UNRWA’s ties to Hamas, the organization that governs the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist group by the United States and other countries.
Confirmation that Hamas’ leader in Lebanon was a UNRWA employee is deeply disturbing.
As long as UNRWA employs Hamas terrorists, no U.S. taxpayer dollars should flow to the organization.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) October 2, 2024
The controversy began when Senator Rosen tweeted in early October her unequivocal opposition to U.S. aid to UNRWA, following revelations that a Hamas leader in Lebanon had been employed by the agency. In her tweet, Rosen stated: “Confirmation that Hamas’s leader in Lebanon was a UNRWA employee is deeply disturbing. As long as UNRWA employs Hamas terrorists, no U.S. taxpayer dollars should flow to the organization.”
This statement reflects growing concern within certain pro-Israel and American Jewish circles about the accountability of UNRWA, which provides services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Evidence has emerged that the organization has allegedly harbored, or at the very least employed, individuals with ties to Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups. The recent discovery that a high-ranking Hamas figure was employed by UNRWA only intensifies these concerns.
Senator Rosen’s stance is particularly noteworthy because it places her at odds with J Street, a prominent organization that has previously supported her campaigns and positions. Just last month, J Street announced its backing for congressional legislation that would allocate U.S. aid to UNRWA, framing it as a necessary element in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. J Street has argued that cutting funding to UNRWA would further destabilize the region and worsen the humanitarian situation for millions of Palestinians.
However, this endorsement of UNRWA by J Street has drawn criticism, especially in light of the documented evidence that certain staff members were directly linked to Hamas, including during the violent atrocities committed by the group in on October 7, 2023. J Street’s support of UNRWA has been viewed as a radical position, out of touch with mainstream American Jewish perspectives, which prioritize security and counter-terrorism measures above broader geopolitical aid considerations.
Americans For A Safe Israel’s (AFSI) Response
Among the most vocal supporters of Senator Rosen’s opposition to U.S. funding for UNRWA is Moshe Phillips, the National Chairman of Americans For A Safe Israel (AFSI), an organization known for its strong advocacy of Israel’s security and sovereignty. Phillips praised Senator Rosen for her “principled stand” in refusing to align with J Street on this matter.
In a statement, Phillips asserted: “Senator Rosen is to be commended for her principled stand against U.S. aid to UNRWA, regardless of where the political chips may fall. American taxpayers’ money should not be given to those who employ terrorists who murder Americans.” He went on to accuse J Street of taking a radical position by continuing to support UNRWA in light of mounting evidence connecting some of its staff to Hamas.
Phillips’ comments reflect a broader sentiment within parts of the pro-Israel community in the United States, where there is increasing frustration with organizations that support UNRWA despite accusations of Hamas involvement. Critics argue that J Street’s position is not only politically misaligned but also morally untenable, given the group’s mission to advocate for peace while ignoring the presence of terrorist-affiliated individuals within UNRWA.
The Broader Context: U.S. Aid to UNRWA and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The debate over U.S. aid to UNRWA is part of a much larger conversation about the role of international aid in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide education, healthcare, and other services to Palestinian refugees displaced by the creation of Israel and subsequent Arab-Israeli wars. While its mandate is humanitarian, critics argue that the agency has, over the decades, become entangled in the politics of the region, with allegations that it has not done enough to prevent its infrastructure and personnel from being used by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
The most recent revelations about Hamas members being employed by UNRWA have amplified calls to reassess U.S. financial support. With Hamas launching brutal attacks against Israeli civilians, the connection between the terrorist group and an agency funded in part by U.S. taxpayers is seen by many as deeply problematic. Opponents of the aid argue that continuing to fund UNRWA without thorough reforms effectively aids Hamas by enabling the group to maintain influence over Gaza’s population.
Senator Rosen’s opposition to UNRWA funding represents a growing divide within U.S. politics over the appropriate approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While more progressive groups such as J Street advocate for continued engagement and humanitarian assistance, other voices within the pro-Israel community emphasize security and the elimination of terrorist influence as the top priorities.
Senator Rosen’s decision to break with J Street on this issue could signal a broader shift within centrist and moderate Democratic circles. As anti-Israel sentiment grows on certain parts of the political left, more mainstream politicians may feel the need to distance themselves from organizations that appear too willing to overlook the security implications of their policy positions.
