U.S. Senator Sanders calls on Biden to support UNRWA: “We cannot allow millions to suffer because of the actions of 12 individuals”

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has urged President Joe Biden to resume assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stating, “We cannot allow millions to suffer because of the actions of 12 individuals.” Following allegations that UNRWA employees were involved in the events on October 7, many countries suspended their aid to the agency. Senator Sanders, of Jewish descent, called on President Biden to reinstate aid to UNRWA.

Sanders stated, “It is certainly unacceptable if any of the 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza are affiliated with Hamas, and the allegations against the accused 12 individuals should be investigated. However, we cannot allow millions to suffer because of the actions of 12 individuals.”

Highlighting the risk of hunger for 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip, Sanders emphasized that the U.S. and other countries should reinstate funds to prevent this humanitarian catastrophe.

In response to the allegations, the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Estonia, Austria, Japan, and Sweden have announced the suspension of their aid to UNRWA.