Attorney General Liz Murrill, alongside a coalition of 24 states, has urged Congress to permanently withdraw funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This call follows allegations that UNRWA is linked to terrorist activities.
The letter to Congressional leadership claims that on October 7, 2023, several UNRWA staff were involved in an attack against the Jewish community. The coalition asserts that up to 10% of UNRWA's personnel have connections with Hamas. Additionally, it is alleged that a Hamas command center was concealed beneath UNRWA's headquarters and weapons were stored in its schools.
The coalition further accuses UNRWA of promoting antisemitism through its educational programs. Approximately 300,000 Palestinian children attend schools run by UNRWA in Gaza. These institutions are accused of using materials and textbooks that foster antisemitic views and violence—concerns previously highlighted by the European Parliament.
"Tax dollars from the hard-working men and women of Louisiana should not be funding an organization tied to the terror organization Hamas," stated Attorney General Murrill. She joined her counterparts in urging Congress to cease American financial support for UNRWA.
The coalition's demand comes after what they describe as "barbaric" attacks on October 7. They argue there is no justification for continuing financial support amounting to billions of dollars.
Louisiana leads this initiative with Iowa and South Carolina co-leading the effort. Other states supporting this call include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Virginia West Virginia Wyoming.