WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the Biden Administration’s decision to resume support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

“I am deeply troubled by recent decisions from the Biden Administration to turn a blind eye to behavior by the Palestinian Authority.

“In 2019, the Palestinian Authority provided $343 million to subsidize Pay to Slay attacks where terrorists and their families receive cash rewards for attacking Israelis and Americans.  Instead of reforming and putting an end to these attacks, they have doubled down on their commitment to subsidizing terrorism.

“Despite this, the Biden Administration today announced it will resume support of the Palestinians by providing at least $150 million to UNRWA.  When it comes to the Palestinians, UNRWA does little more than subsidize a corrupt regime and a status quo in the West Bank and in Jordan.  UNRWA has been historically antagonistic to Israel and an impediment to peace.

“Additionally, recent decisions by the State Department to provide funding for projects in the West Bank come close to violating the provisions of the Taylor Force Act.  As the author of the Taylor Force Act and the Ranking Member on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I fully expect a complete honoring of the letter and intent of the law.

“A willingness to make concessions to the Palestinians without demanding anything in return is deeply troubling and should worry us all, particularly as the Biden Administration makes an effort to resume nuclear negotiations with the Iranians.”

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