S.4295 - Stop Support for UNRWA Act of 2026
S.4295 was introduced April 15, 2026 by Senator Rick Scott. It is currently pending before the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Related legislation:
Bill Summary: S. 4295 seeks to prevent the United States from making any contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) or any successor, related entity, or any contributions to the United Nations for the support of UNRWA or successor or related entities. Beyond UNRWA, the bill also restricts U.S. participation and funding across the broader UN system: it prohibits the use of federal funds to pay expenses for any U.S. delegation to any UN specialized agency, body, or commission chaired or presided over by a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, and similarly bars U.S. contributions to any such organization or program within the UN system under the same condition. Finally, the bill revokes all diplomatic privileges, exemptions, and immunities otherwise afforded to UNRWA officials, employees, and representatives under the International Organizations Immunities Act or any other provision of law or executive order.
Context: Following unsubstantiated accusations by the Government of Israel that 12 of UNRWA’s approximately 13,000 employees in Gaza participated in Hamas’ October 2023 attack, the Biden Administration paused funding to the agency on January 26, 2024. This decision was later codified into law through provisions in the March 2024 appropriations bills, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, effectively suspending U.S. financial support to UNRWA until March 2025.
The Trump Administration prevented the expiration of the funding pause with an executive order to pause funding to UNRWA arguing that the organization has been infiltrated by foreign terrorist organizations (FTO). However, The Colonna Report, published on April 20, 2024, addressed these allegations, stating that UNRWA has gone beyond its obligation in sharing pertinent information and addressing potential wrongdoings, a conclusion reinforced by the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence. In 2017, UNRWA adopted its first neutrality policy, instituted mandatory staff training, revised its rules on external and political activities, and implemented a rigorous internal disciplinary process grounded in due process. When the Israeli government accused 12 UNRWA staff members of participating in the October 7th attacks, the agency immediately terminated all 12 employees, even before launching an investigation. Israel later acknowledged that one individual had been misidentified, and to date, none of the allegations have been substantiated.
When Israeli officials extended the claim beyond individuals to allege that UNRWA as an institution had been compromised, the agency formally requested evidence – but none has been provided. Since 2011, UNRWA has regularly shared staff rosters with the Israeli government for all personnel operating in the occupied Palestinian territories. When credible concerns have been raised in the past and evidence was supplied, UNRWA has opened investigations and dismissed staff where warranted. However, the agency has frequently encountered resistance when requesting corroborating evidence from Israeli authorities. As a UN agency, UNRWA lacks both intelligence and law enforcement capabilities and thus depends on the Israeli government in these areas, as is the norm with all UN agencies in relation to member states. On October 28, 2024 the Knesset passed a series of laws banning UNRWA operations from Israeli territory and barring contact between the agency and Israeli officials ensuring that UNRWA will not be able to gain access to critical information regarding any future investigations or concerns. Furthermore, the Israeli government is attempting to ban 37 international aid organizations for a failure to draconian new Israeli registration requirements such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam, CARE International, Save the Children, ActionAid, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. The ban has been temporarily halted by the Israeli high court.
The suspension of U.S. funding for UNRWA removed its primary source of funding and marked a sharp policy shift that flies in the face of UNRWA's longstanding role in delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. UNRWA is widely regarded as indispensable in delivering essential services to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. The failures of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation serve as a prime example of why UNRWA and international NGOs are critical in getting humanitarian aid to areas of Gaza which are critical to alleviating the current humanitarian catastrophe. S. 4295 seeks to continue policies that defer to Israel on humanitarian aid as it actively seeks to prevent aid from reaching Palestinians. It codifies the executive order to ban funding to UNRWA and expands it to ensure that no organization can be funded under the United Nations regardless of any reform or humanitarian necessity, ensuring that Israel dictates what organizations provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. Furthermore, by revoking the diplomatic immunities of UNRWA personnel and restricting U.S. participation in UN bodies chaired by state sponsors of terrorism, the bill extends its reach well beyond UNRWA, undermining U.S. engagement across the broader multilateral system.
American Values Analysis: S. 4295 runs counter to American values of compassion and the moral imperative to prevent suffering. It permanently defunds the primary organization delivering essential services to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees, ensuring millions will struggle to access food, shelter, education, and medical care. By revoking the diplomatic immunities of UNRWA personnel and restricting U.S. participation in UN bodies chaired by state sponsors of terrorism, the bill further undermines American values of multilateral engagement and the rule of law.
American Interest Analysis: . 4295 harms American interests by damaging U.S. diplomatic reputation, exacerbating famine and suffering in Gaza, and doubling down on the same policies that produced the failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which painted a black mark on the reputation of the United States. The bill's broader restrictions on U.S. participation in UN bodies and revocation of UNRWA diplomatic immunities risk further isolating the United States within the multilateral system at a time when American global leadership is already under strain.
A New Policy’s Recommendation: OPPOSE
A New Policy opposes S. 4295 as it permanently defunds the primary mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees while extending that prohibition to any successor organization regardless of humanitarian need. While its restrictions on multilateral engagement and revoking diplomatic immunities for UNRWA personnel further compound the damage done to the United State’s reputation.
For more information please contact: Josh Paul, info@anewpolicy.org, (202) 770-0055
