Ocean County Leader

In a congressional hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today, experts scrutinized the UN’s purportedly independent review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), suggesting that the report's findings were predetermined to reassure donors. The document, officially known as the report of the Independent Review Group, is commonly referred to as the Colonna report after its primary author, former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna.

Smith, Chairman of the House Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee, highlighted recent revelations about UNRWA's alleged involvement in antisemitic atrocities and providing support to Hamas. He criticized UNRWA as a "chief driver of conflict between Palestinians and Israelis" and described it as an "incubator of hatred."

The hearing titled “Eliminating US Aid to Terrorists,” marked Smith's fourth hearing on UNRWA within a year. The panel included Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of United Nations Watch; Yona Schiffmiller, Director of Research at NGO Monitor; and James Lindsay, Former UNRWA General Counsel.

Neuer claimed that the Colonna Review was not truly independent due to apparent bias and conflicts of interest among examiners. Schiffmiller criticized the report for its internal contradictions and disregard for incriminating information about UNRWA. Lindsay argued against the notion that UNRWA is 'irreplaceable', suggesting local authorities could expand their operations if given UNRWA's resources.

Smith further criticized the report as a whitewash attempt for UNRWA's record. He accused Colonna and her team of having a history of supporting UNRWA while being hostile towards Israel. He suggested that their goal was to 'reassure donors' rather than objectively examine potential wrongdoing.

The congressman emphasized that international aid organizations must be thoroughly vetted by the US government to avoid associations with antisemitic or terroristic entities. He concluded, “Under absolutely no circumstances should the United States be subsidizing an organization that promotes the killing of innocent Jews and terror attacks on Israel.”