GOP senators work to facilitate suing UNRWA over Hamas support

Republican senators are finally fed up with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) playing footsie with terrorists while hiding behind diplomatic immunity like cowards in a bad spy movie. They’ve dropped a legislative bombshell called the Limiting Immunity for Assisting Backers of Lethal Extremism Act [say that five times fast] to let American victims of terrorism sue international outfits that are in bed with groups like Hamas. 

And trust me, UNRWA’s got some explaining to do.

Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) the Texas tornado leading this charge, isn’t mincing words. He says UNRWA has “for decades knowingly provided support to Hamas terrorists, including salaries and materials.” 

Yes, you heard that right—salaries! It's like Hamas is just another line item in their HR budget. 

Cruz points out that this cozy relationship “facilitated Hamas’s terrorist attack on Oct. 7, which was the worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and included the murder and kidnapping of dozens of Americans.” He’s pushing the LIABLE Act to give victims and their families a shot at justice, because apparently, the U.N. thinks “immunity” means “do whatever you want, no consequences.”

Then there’s Sen. Rick Scott (R) from Florida, who’s had it up to here with UNRWA’s side hustle of aiding “Iran-backed Hamas in their spread of hateful antisemitism.” He’s not wrong—UNRWA’s been enabling these ass-clowns for years, and Scott’s ready to hold them accountable for “the horrific massacre and mass kidnapping “‘over 550 days ago, on Oct. 7.” That’s right, folks, the calendar’s ticking, and the outrage is still fresh.

Now, here’s the kicker: groups like UNRWA, which Cruz says provide support to Hamas, Hezbollah, and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations, have been chilling under the International Organizations Immunities Act. 

It’s like a diplomatic “get out of jail free” card. But this new bill would rip that card to shreds. The U.N., predictably, is clutching its pearls, insisting UNRWA’s untouchable under some dusty 1946 convention. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s Justice Department just gave them the legal equivalent of a middle finger, saying UNRWA’s immunity is about as real as a unicorn.

Israel’s been sounding the alarm, accusing UNRWA employees of being in on the Hamas attacks. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, had to fire a few staffers in January 2024 after Israel called them out. A probe later confirmed that nine—count ’em, nine—staff members “may have been involved.” So, they got the boot. But let’s be real: “may have been involved” is bureaucrat-speak for “we’re in deep trouble, and we’re hoping you don’t notice.”

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) from Nebraska sums it up perfectly: “UNRWA employees provided material support for Hamas terrorists and contributed to the barbaric Oct. 7 attacks.” He’s all in on this bill, ready to let American victims “get justice” for the terrorism UNRWA’s been aiding and abetting. 

Because, folks, when you’re paying salaries to terrorists, you don’t get to hide behind a U.N. badge and call it a day. Time’s up.

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