Trump brings new heat to controversial UN agency as alleged Hamas ties engulf scores of employees

UNRWA’s Reforms Under Fire as U.S. and European Nations Scrutinize Alleged Hamas Ties

Geneva, Switzerland – A new watchdog report from UN Watch has called into question the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)’s claim that it has completed 41 of the 50 reforms recommended by an independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. The report, released this Monday, finds that UNRWA has implemented only 13 of the recommended changes in practice, a figure that critics say reflects a “paper‑only” approach to reform.

The criticism comes at a time when the U.S. has intensified its scrutiny of UNRWA. In August, former President Donald Trump shared the UN Watch findings on his Truth Social platform, urging that the agency’s ties to Hamas be examined more closely. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has already announced investigations into UNRWA employees who may have participated in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, and the U.S. administration has highlighted the need for deeper reforms in the agency.

The Watchdog’s Findings

UN Watch, a Geneva‑based advocacy group, compared the UNRWA’s public statements about reform progress with the actual recommendations issued by Colonna. “UNRWA is grading its own homework — and giving itself credit for reforms that exist mainly on paper,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, in an interview with Fox News Digital. He pointed to the agency’s reporting of pilot programs and drafted policies as evidence of “completed” reforms that have yet to be fully operationalized.

Key areas of concern highlighted in the report include staff vetting, educational content, and policy implementation. UNRWA claims that a “Commercial Vetting Pilot & Costed Plan” and other screening measures are complete, but the watchdog argues that such pilots and plans do not equate to a fully functioning vetting system. In education, the agency cites systematic textbook reviews and randomized classroom inspections as steps taken, while a policy banning problematic content remains “in progress” according to UN Watch.

Colonna’s Recommendations

The independent review, commissioned by U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres in February 2024 after allegations that UNRWA staff participated in the Oct. 7 attacks, included 50 recommendations. Colonna presented the findings in April, noting that some educational material still contained “glorification of jihad,” “incitement to violence,” and maps that omitted Israel. She called for a zero‑tolerance approach to such content. UNRWA accepted all 50 recommendations, Guterres said, and the agency’s leadership agreed to implement them through an action plan.

UNRWA’s Response

When asked about the criticisms, Stéphane Dujarric, U.N. spokesman for UNRWA, defended the agency’s reporting procedures. “It is not just checking boxes for the sake of checking boxes,” Dujarric said. “It’s about the implementation of those things.” He explained that UNRWA regularly reports to the U.N. General Assembly, holds integrity meetings open to member states, and allows governments to scrutinize its activities. On staff screening, he emphasized that the agency works in partnership with the countries where it operates—Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—to share personnel lists and address concerns directly with UNRWA.

International Reactions

The report has spurred calls for further investigations by other governments. A European nation, not named in the source material, has reportedly decided to cut funding to UNRWA amid the allegations of Hamas ties. While the U.S. administration has announced more than $1 billion in budget cuts to U.N. agencies as part of a broader reform push, the specific focus on UNRWA underscores growing international pressure to hold the agency accountable for alleged security breaches.

UNRWA’s Stance on Reforms

UNRWA maintains that it has made significant progress. The agency lists 41 of the 50 reforms as completed, citing policy drafting, pilot programs, and other measures. Critics, however, argue that “a policy is not a reform if it is ignored, unenforced, or blocked by staff unions dominated by Hamas,” a claim that echoes Hillel Neuer’s earlier statement that reforms exist mainly on paper.

Looking Ahead

The debate over UNRWA’s reforms highlights a broader challenge in monitoring and enforcing policy changes within international agencies. With the U.N. Security Council and member states closely watching the agency’s compliance, the coming months may bring further scrutiny, potential funding adjustments, and possibly more stringent oversight mechanisms.

As the U.S. and European governments evaluate their support for UNRWA, the agency’s ability to demonstrate genuine implementation of reforms will be key to maintaining its legitimacy and securing continued assistance. The international community’s next steps will likely set a precedent for how U.N. agencies respond to allegations of internal misconduct and the effectiveness of reform processes.