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The UNRWA Meltdown
View of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash90.
JNS.org – If anything illuminates the insanity and moral bankruptcy of our times, it’s the reaction to Israel’s decision to act against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Laws passed this week by the Israeli Knesset, which will come into force in three months’ time, ban UNRWA from operating in either Israel or Gaza, prohibit state officials from having any contact with the agency or its representatives, and enable Israel to arrest and prosecute any of its employees with terrorist connections.
The evidence is overwhelming that UNRWA is indeed an active partner of Hamas.
Israel has claimed that dozens of UNRWA officials and staffers directly participated in last year’s Oct. 7 pogrom in southern Israel, when 1,200 were murdered and more than 250 kidnapped into Gaza.
Mohammad Abu Itiwi, who led the murder and kidnapping of Israelis hiding in a roadside bomb shelter on that terrible day, and who was killed by the Israel Defense Forces last week in Gaza, had been employed by UNRWA since July 2022 while serving as a Nukbha commander in Hamas’s Bureij Battalion.
Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin, who led Hamas in Lebanon and was killed in an Israeli airstrike there in September, doubled as the head of Lebanon’s UNRWA teachers’ union. A school principal, he oversaw 65 schools and roughly 40,000 students. He had also been responsible for coordinating terror activities between Hamas and Hezbollah; procuring weapons and recruiting terrorists; and using social media to incite attacks.
The IDF repeatedly discovered terrorist infrastructure sited in and around UNRWA schools, hospitals and other facilities. Back in February, Israeli forces found below UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City a subterranean data center that was hooked up to the electricity supply in the UNRWA facility above.
According to the curricula monitoring organization IMPACT-se, UNRWA’s school curriculum has had a “central, radicalizing influence on generations of Palestinians” and teaches children that the Jews are liars and fraudsters” who “spread corruption.”
Despite all this and more such evidence of UNRWA’s terrorist ties, there has been hysterical outrage over Israel’s ban. There have been claims that it will deepen the humanitarian crisis with Gazans now on the brink of starvation—a claim that’s been made repeatedly during the war but has always proved untrue.
In reality, hundreds of aid trucks enter Gaza every week, but Hamas continues to steal the aid and sell it on the black market at hugely inflated prices that Gaza residents cannot afford. Hamas has seized an estimated $500 million in foreign aid since the war began.
Most of the assistance coming in isn’t even being distributed by UNRWA. Israeli officials have said that aid agencies such as the World Food Program, World Central Kitchen and UNICEF have a bigger role in distributing Gaza’s aid supplies.
None of this is acknowledged by those claiming that the Palestinian Arabs in Gaza are starving and UNRWA is irreplaceable. Other aid agencies, they say, don’t provide health and education services.
But UNRWA’s schools have taught generations of Gaza’s children to hate and murder Jews. According to the IDF, every single UNRWA hospital and clinic has been used as a terrorist hub, with clinical staff doubling as Hamas members.
In any civilized universe, how can such a provision be deemed “irreplaceable”? Shouldn’t the appropriate response to the organization that has facilitated such terrorist assistance be to shut it down?
Moreover, why should Israel be held responsible for providing Gaza with humanitarian assistance? Israel has been under bombardment from the coastal enclave for two decades. Gaza’s population elected Hamas to rule them. Opinion polling consistently reveals that even among those who now hate Hamas, the vast majority support the killing of Israelis.
Thousands of those civilians took part in the Oct. 7 atrocities in Israel and grossly abused the Israeli captives when they were dragged into Gaza. The IDF subsequently found evidence of ties to Hamas in virtually every house.
In what conceivable moral universe is a country targeted for such a remorseless and genocidal attack expected to look after the welfare of its murderous attackers?
The United Nations says that Jerusalem has an obligation under international law to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza because Israel is the occupying power. But this is totally untrue. Israel is not occupying Gaza. It withdrew from it altogether in 2005.
It’s the United Nations that has failed to live up to its own international obligation not to fund and support violence. For years, the world body has turned a blind eye to UNRWA’s ties to terrorists. So have America, Britain and other countries. They still refuse to acknowledge this problem.
In a statement this week expressing “grave concern” over the Israeli ban, the foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom claimed that UNRWA was tackling its employees’ support for terrorism by pursuing the recommendations made in last April’s independent review by the former French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna.
That review was a travesty. Before the report was even written, Colonna said that her goal was to “enable donors … to regain confidence, when they have lost it or when they have doubts, in the way UNRWA operates.” Her report was drafted to achieve precisely that rather than stop the rot.
Far from tackling the agency’s terrorist ties, its commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, has batted them away. He claimed implausibly that UNRWA didn’t know about the Hamas data center underneath its Gaza headquarters.
He denied that it employed terrorists and said this claim was part of a “large-scale campaign aimed at undermining the agency.” Having suspended the teachers’ union head Abu el Amin under pressure over the revelation of his Hamas role, Lazzarini reinstated him three months later under pressure of a strike by UNRWA teachers supporting their union’s head.
As for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, he appeared to blame Israel for the Hamas Oct. 7 pogrom by saying it “did not happen in a vacuum” and has repeatedly parroted Hamas talking points.
Instead of holding the U.N.’s and UNRWA’s feet to the fire, Israel’s supposed allies in America and Britain have been threatening to cut off the Jewish state at the knees.
Having told Israel earlier this month that it must take steps within 30 days to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on US military aid, the Biden-Harris administration threatened it with “consequences under U.S. law and US policy” over its UNRWA ban.
In Britain, there have been reports that the government may suspend further arms sales to Israel as punishment. The U.K. ambassador to the United Nations, Dame Barbara Woodward, said that Israel must “ensure UNRWA can continue to provide essential services to those suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.”
But UNRWA’s role is not as a dispassionate provider of essential services. It was actually created in 1949 as a weapon to delegitimize the State of Israel. While refugee status for all other peoples is considered a temporary measure, it’s permanent for the Palestinian Arabs. Under UNRWA’s unique designation, it’s passed down from generation to generation.
That’s why the number of Palestinian Arab “refugees” has ludicrously increased from 700,000 in 1948 to 5.9 million today—an ever-growing running sore whose toxicity is vastly increased by the hatred of Israel taught in UNRWA schools.
The pretense that UNRWA exists to provide for the suffering was finally ripped apart by the part its employees played in the Oct. 7 atrocities and in the war that has followed.
Israelis are no longer prepared to tolerate people who are trying to kill them and destroy their country while parading as humanitarian relief workers. Yet the United States, Britain and the United Nations are pressuring Israel to continue to keep this malign farce going.
Such people aren’t appalled by UNRWA. They’re appalled by the ban on it. That tells you everything you need to know about the war against Israel by the so-called civilized world.
The post The UNRWA Meltdown first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Kanye West Declares ‘I Love Hitler, I’m a Nazi’ as Rapper Condemned for Another Antisemitic Rant on X
Singer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West (2nd R), laughs before presenting his Fall/Winter 2015 partnership with Adidas at New York Fashion Week February 12, 2015. Photo: Reuters
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, posted another antisemitic rant on X/Twitter early Friday morning, similar to the one he posted on the social media platform in 2022 targeting Jews.
Ye posted a series of antisemitic messages in which he repeatedly praised and expressed love for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and went on a rampage about how much he dislikes Jews. He declared “Im a Nazi” and “Im racist, Stereo types exist for a reason and they all be true.” He later added, “I love Hitler now what bi—es” and said, “Me loving Hitler is old news” as well as. “I am God Jesus Hitler Ye Like I told you.”
He claimed Jews are “always gonna steal” and “actually hate White people and use Black people.” He also said some of his best friends are Jewish “and I dont trust any of them.”
“White people do not f—k with ni—as they leave that to the Jews If you think you getting money with a white person its not true that so called white person is actually Jewish Jews hate Whites because of the Germans from World War 2,” he tweeted. He also admitted, “I dont even know what the f—k anti semetic [sic] means.” He claimed antisemitism is “just some bulls—t Jewish people made up to protect their bulls—t.”
The rapper also criticized Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk for stealing his “Nazi swag” after the latter stirred controversy for making a hand gesture at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally last month that resembled a Nazi salute. Ye tweeted, “Elon stole my Nazi swag at the inauguration yoooo my guy get your own third rale.”
In October 2022, Ye tweeted about wanting to physically harm Jews. “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote in the since-deleted post, referring to the US military’s DEFCON system for rating how alert the armed forces should be at a given moment in the face of a threat. He also tweeted at the time: “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic [sic] because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Ye lost a number of brand partnerships because of his remarks, including the Adidas and Yeezy collaboration, and his X account was temporarily locked. He later apologized for his antisemitic comments — in Hebrew — and said he “definitely was drinking” when he was posted the antisemitic comments in 2022, specifically Hennessy.
Not long after Ye’s antisemitic rampage in 2022, he praised Hitler in an interview with far-right talk show host Alex Jones and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories and stereotypes during an interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
On Friday, Ye tweeted that he “will not apologize” for his antisemitic remarks this time and insisted that he was sober during his foul-mouthed tirade.
He said: “Aint nobody ramped up either Im calm as ice this is how I really feel how I really felt and how I will always feel … any Jewish person that does business with me needs to know I dont like or trust any Jewish person amd [sic] this is completely sober with no Hennessy [sic].”
“You Jewish ni—as dont run me no more,” he added. “This is a free country and this is my free opinion.” He said in a separate post: “Im never apologizing for my Jewish comments. I can say whatever the f—k I wanna say forever. Where’s my f—king apology for freezing my accounts. Suck my d—k how’s that for an apology.”
“IF I LOST EVERYTHING AGAIN TONIGHT WAS WORTH IT I CAN DIE AFTER THIS,” he stated.
The majority of Ye’s antisemitic comments from Friday morning are no longer on X, but it’s unclear if he deleted them or if X removed them from the platform.
US Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said Ye “should be ostracized for his rabid antisemitism.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism and the organization StopAntisemitism both called on Musk to delete Ye’s account from X in light of his recent antisemitic tirade.
“Once again, Ye has gone on an antisemitic rampage online. It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite,” said a CAA spokesperson. “More people have viewed these posts than there are Jews on the planet. It is obvious that Ye has not learned his lesson the first time, when Adidas ended its partnership with him, following our call to do so. At a time of unprecedented antisemitism, there can be no mistaking this incitement for exactly what it is. We call on Elon Musk to remove him from X.”
At this very moment, @kanyewest is going on yet another antisemitic rampage.
It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite. More people have viewed these posts than there are Jews on the planet.
It is obvious that Ye has not learned his lesson the first… pic.twitter.com/qXeXQsjb4F
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) February 7, 2025
StandWithUs encouraged Jews to exhibit pride in their Jewish identity, despite the hateful remarks made by the rapper.
“Once again, Kanye West spewed vile antisemitism on his X account, which reaches millions of people,” StandWithUs said in a statement on X. “This is indicative of how mainstream antisemitism has become. The more hatred and bigotry that Jewish people face, the more important it is for Jews to carry their identity like a badge of honor. To every Jewish person out there: We hope that even in the face of hate, you will celebrate your Jewish identity with pride and love. We Stand With You.”
The Anti-Defamation League condemned Ye’s “egregious display of antisemitism, racism, and misogyny.” It reminded the public that according to ADL research, 30 antisemitic incidents across the US were tied to Ye’s antisemitic comments in 2022. “We condemn this dangerous behavior and need to call it what it is: a flagrant and unequivocal display of hate,” the organization said.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement told Ye, “Your antisemitic rants are as absurd and repulsive this time around as they were back in 2022. We hope you get the help you so clearly need, and fast.”
David Draiman, the Jewish lead singer of the rock band Disturbed, said in a post on X addressed to Ye: “Maybe you should apologize to the world for being a miserable, overhyped, sexist, racist, antisemitic c—t who has nothing better to do than harass #Jews ?”
The post Kanye West Declares ‘I Love Hitler, I’m a Nazi’ as Rapper Condemned for Another Antisemitic Rant on X first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Presents White House With Plan to End Gaza War if Hamas Gives Up Power, Leaders Go Into Exile: Report
US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk in the midst of a joint news conference in the White House in Washington, US, Jan. 28, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuahu has presented to US officials a proposal to end the war in Gaza in exchange for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas giving up power and its leaders leaving the enclave, according to a new report.
Under the plan, Israel would agree to release “senior” Palestinian prisoners that it did not want to free during the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal, which began on Jan. 19, the news site Axios reported on Thursday. In return, Hamas would release the remaining hostages, cede control of Gaza, and send its top leaders — including those serving jail sentences — into exile.
During his trip to Washington this week, Netanyahu reportedly informed the Trump administration that he does not believe the war in Gaza can end while Hamas controls the coastal enclave, arguing that an unconditional surrender by the terrorist group and an expulsion of its leaders would open the possibility for a lasting peace.
According to Axios, Netanyahu told US officials this week that he wants to prolong the first phase of the ceasefire beyond the 42-day benchmark in order to free more than the 33 hostages originally agreed upon. Israel, which initially agreed to release more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of the deal, would release more in exchange for the release of more hostages.
Israeli officials close to the deal believe that a renegotiation could result in securing the release of two or three more hostages during the first phase. Furthermore, observers believe that an extension of the first phase of the deal would buy Israel more time to negotiate the freedom of its citizens without having to vacate troops from Gaza.
If Netanyahu succeeds in extending the first phase of the ceasefire, he plans on presenting Hamas officials a proposal to release a set of “senior” Palestinian prisoners that Israel initially refused to free, Axios reported.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has reportedly agreed to hand over civilian governance of Gaza and relinquish reconstruction duties to the Palestinian Authority or another party.
However, there are some potential roadblocks that could result in a resumption of the war in Gaza, senior Israeli officials warn. The terrorist group will not agree to disarm or dissolve its military wing, according to Axios. Moreover, Israeli officials say the odds that Hamas leaders willingly exile themselves from the Gaza Strip are “extremely low.”
The post Israel Presents White House With Plan to End Gaza War if Hamas Gives Up Power, Leaders Go Into Exile: Report first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel on High Alert Ahead of Next Hostage Release as Hamas Fails to Deliver List of Names on Time
Families and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas gather to demand a deal that will bring back all the hostages held in Gaza, outside a meeting between hostage representatives and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad
As Israel prepares for the fifth wave of hostages to be released under the recently brokered ceasefire with Hamas on Saturday, the nation remains vigilant against potential violations by the Palestinian terrorist group.
A significant aspect of the ceasefire agreement involves the IDF’s planned withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, a strategic area that bisects the Gaza Strip. If the process proceeds without incident, the military intends to complete this withdrawal by Sunday, signaling a step toward de-escalation.
However, the Israeli military on Friday said that it had bolstered its presence at key points within the Gaza Strip. The Southern Command’s leadership has conducted multiple field assessments alongside frontline soldiers to ensure readiness for any unforeseen developments during the hostage transfer process.
Israel’s defense ministry said that any violation of the agreement will be dealt with severely.
Hamas claimed that Israel had not fulfilled its side of the deal in transferring humanitarian aid, but Israel denied the claim, saying that 12,600 trucks of aid had arrived in Gaza since the beginning of the deal’s implementation on Jan. 19.
Israel was slated to receive the list of hostages scheduled for release in the fifth wave on Friday, but Hamas delayed announcing the names of the three Israelis due to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, who were largely detained for terrorist activity.
Unlike previous exchanges, Hamas has not committed to a specific category of hostages for this round, adding a layer of uncertainty and tension for the families awaiting news.
Israel is exerting diplomatic pressure on mediators to prioritize the release of Shiri Bibas and her young children, Kfir and Ariel.
The forthcoming hostage releases over the next month under phase one of the ceasefire deal are expected to include 20 individuals: seven adults over the age of 50, ten identified as sick or wounded, and three members of the Bibas family.
The list of sick or wounded individuals includes American-Israeli Sagi Dekel-Chen.
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists started the war in Gaza when they murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in the neighboring enclave. The conflict raged for nearly 16 months until both sides agreed to last month’s ceasefire and hostage-release deal, the first phase of which is set to last six weeks.
During phase one, Hamas is supposed to inform Israel of the next hostages to be freed 24 hours before their release.
US President Donald Trump’s new proposal to “take over” Gaza has introduced a contentious element into the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Critics argue that the plan could undermine the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but others say it will only strengthen Israel’s position. An unnamed Hamas official cited by Israel’s Channel 12 said that the terrorist group would see how the plan develops before deciding to change the terms of the deal. Nonetheless, the official said that the “takeover” proposal would not thwart the first phase of the plan.
Seventy-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity. Upon the conclusion of the initial phase of the agreement, 59 hostages will still be held in Gaza, with 35 already declared deceased.
The post Israel on High Alert Ahead of Next Hostage Release as Hamas Fails to Deliver List of Names on Time first appeared on Algemeiner.com.