U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) introduced a bill on Thursday that would designate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Ogles’ bill, H.R.7206, comes after nine employees from the United Nations Relief Works Agency were fired last week after being accused of involvement in the terrorist group Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel.
“The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a jihadist terrorist organization pretending to be an NGO. Its years-long advocacy for Palestinian terrorism is well-documented, and it is past time they are designated in response for their role in the murder of innocent American and Israeli citizens,” Ogles said in a statement to FOX 17 News Nashville.
As of Friday, Ogles’ bill had one sponsor – Illinois U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL-15). The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary upon introduction.
The United States and at least 10 other countries have responded to the accusations by suspending their funding to the UNRWA.
Over the weekend, UN Secretary-General António Guterres released a statement saying the international organization is “taking swift action” amid the “extremely serious allegations,” however, urged the U.S. and other countries to resume funding of the UNRWA as “2 million civilians in Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival.”
“Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution…The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences,” Guterres said. “But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Andy Ogles” by Andy Ogles.
