UNRWA Integrity Act

H.R. 5278, the UNRWA Integrity Act, would place specific conditions on U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Under this bill, the President would be required to certify every six months that the agency is not assisting members of terrorist organizations, is undergoing independent financial audits, and is not promoting anti-Semitism or the denial of Israel’s right to exist.

For citizens, this legislation represents an effort to increase oversight and transparency regarding how U.S. taxpayer dollars are used for international aid in the Middle East. If the agency fails to meet these standards, U.S. contributions would be withheld unless the President determines a waiver is necessary for national security. Additionally, the bill requires the State Department to provide regular reports to Congress on whether the agency’s educational materials and operations align with American interests.