A chilling new documentary, “UNraveling UNRWA,” is igniting a fierce debate surrounding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and its decades-long role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film presents a deeply unsettling portrait of an organization allegedly entangled with Hamas and accused of perpetuating a cycle of displacement rather than fostering resolution.
The controversy intensified this week as Israeli authorities demolished structures at UNRWA headquarters, a move condemned by the agency’s commissioner-general as a breach of international law. Israel maintains the demolition was legal and targeted unused buildings, but it underscores a growing hostility towards the agency within the country.
Despite mounting criticism and allegations of complicity in the October 7th attacks, the United Nations General Assembly recently voted to renew UNRWA’s mandate through 2029. This decision followed the surfacing of videos purportedly showing UNRWA employees involved in the Hamas massacre, sparking investigations and staff dismissals.
The documentary delves into UNRWA’s origins in 1949, examining its evolution and its impact on generations of Palestinian refugees. Interviews with refugees, Israelis, and former UNRWA officials reveal a complex narrative, challenging the agency’s stated mission of providing humanitarian aid.
A central argument within the film centers on UN General Assembly Resolution 194, which Palestinians interpret as guaranteeing the right of return to ancestral homes within Israel. Critics argue that UNRWA has actively promoted this interpretation, effectively maintaining refugee status across generations and hindering genuine solutions.
Zlatko Zigic, a former director of a UN migration agency, asserts in the film that UNRWA has inadvertently fueled the ongoing conflict by prioritizing the “endless struggle” for return. He contends that this pursuit has become a tool to perpetuate the conflict, rather than resolve it.
Disturbing scenes filmed inside UNRWA schools reveal a curriculum allegedly steeped in anti-Jewish sentiment. One scene depicts a teacher asking elementary school students, “What did the Jews do to us?” before recounting tales of expulsion, deportation, and family loss, while simultaneously praising UNRWA for providing refuge.
Former UNRWA legal adviser James Lindsay, featured in the documentary, describes a systemic problem rooted in the agency’s vulnerability to local authorities, specifically Hamas. He explains that UNRWA employees operate under immense pressure from Hamas, incentivizing compliance with demands, even if it means compromising the agency’s integrity.
Lindsay reveals that UNRWA leadership historically avoided barring Hamas members from employment, viewing the organization as an integral part of Palestinian political life. This created an environment where local staff and contractors faced severe repercussions for refusing to comply with Hamas’s directives.
The documentary highlights a stark disparity between the detailed reports submitted to donor governments and the reality on the ground in Gaza. With a workforce of over 12,000 in Gaza, only a small fraction are international staff, leaving the vast majority susceptible to Hamas’s influence.
Lindsay points to a phenomenon known as “clientitis,” where humanitarian organizations begin to identify with the populations they serve, potentially leading to political alignment. He argues that UNRWA has, over time, become increasingly aligned with a specific faction of the Palestinian political landscape – Hamas.
Despite initial hopes for reform, Lindsay ultimately concluded that UNRWA’s structure makes meaningful change impossible. He believes the agency is constrained by those in charge and has succumbed to “clientitis,” hindering its ability to operate impartially.
The recent General Assembly vote to renew UNRWA’s mandate, while viewed as a victory by the agency, is shadowed by growing opposition. The number of dissenting votes and abstentions has significantly increased in recent years, signaling a rising tide of concern among member states.
While UNRWA enjoys broad support within the UN, its financial stability relies heavily on voluntary donations from Western countries. These countries, increasingly wary of the allegations against the agency, represent a critical threat to UNRWA’s long-term survival.
