UNRWA’s Role in Islamist Terrorism and Vile Antisemitic Incitement

UNRWA’s Role in Terrorism and Vile Antisemitic Incitement: A Case for Defunding and Dissolution

Summary Statistics

• 10% of UNRWA Staff Are Terrorists: Over 1,200 of UNRWA’s 12,000 Gaza employees are members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).^[1][2]
• 12+ UNRWA Staff Participated in October 7 Massacre: At least 12 employees were directly involved in the attacks.^[3]
• Hamas Tunnels Under UNRWA Facilities: Extensive tunnel networks found beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters.^[4]
• Qatar’s $1B+ Funds Hamas/PIJ via UNRWA: Over $1 billion channeled to terrorist groups since 2012.^[5]
• UNRWA Textbooks Promote Hatred: Educational materials glorify violence and praise Hitler.^[6]

Introduction

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been exposed as a facilitator of terrorism and antisemitic incitement, undermining its humanitarian mandate and threatening Israel’s security. Israeli intelligence and international investigations reveal UNRWA’s deep ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), its role in the October 7, 2023, atrocities, and its propagation of hateful ideologies through its education system. Israel demands UNRWA’s immediate defunding and dissolution to halt its support for terrorism and antisemitism.^[1][7]

Systemic Terrorist Infiltration

Israeli intelligence confirms that 10% of UNRWA’s 12,000 Gaza employees—over 1,200 individuals—are members of Hamas or PIJ, designated terrorist groups by Israel, the United States, and others.^[1][2] These operatives, including senior educators and school principals, are embedded within UNRWA’s operations, with some linked to Hamas rocket units.^[8] The Counter Extremism Project has criticized UNRWA’s failure to vet employees, allowing terrorists to thrive within the agency.^[7] This infiltration transforms UNRWA into a de facto arm of terrorist organizations, endangering Israel.

Complicity in the October 7 Massacre

UNRWA’s involvement in the October 7, 2023, attacks, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and involved mass abductions, is undeniable. At least 12 UNRWA employees directly participated, with roles including facilitating kidnappings and distributing ammunition.^[3] A UNRWA social worker, also a PIJ terrorist, was involved in abductions, and hostages like Ditza Heiman were fed UNRWA rations by Hamas captors employed by the agency.^[9] Ayelet Samerano, whose son Yonatan was abducted by a UNRWA employee, declared at the UN, “UNRWA is the attacker, not the victim.”^[10] These acts demand accountability.

Hamas Infrastructure Under UNRWA Facilities

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered extensive Hamas tunnel networks, including a server farm, beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters.^[4] Rocket parts were found in UNRWA-branded boxes, and a Hamas command center was discovered under an UNRWA school in Nuseirat.^[11] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented photographic evidence to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, exposing UNRWA’s complicity.^[12] These findings confirm that UNRWA facilities serve as cover for Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure, posing a direct threat to Israel.

Incitement of Hatred and Antisemitism

UNRWA’s educational system actively promotes violence and antisemitism, with textbooks and staff glorifying terrorism and even praising Adolf Hitler.^[6] A 2023 investigation by Ynetnews revealed Palestinian textbooks used by UNRWA containing phrases like, “Wake up Hitler, there are still people to burn,” inciting hatred against Jews.^[6] Despite promises to reform, UNRWA continues to employ educators who routinely advocate hatred and violence against Jews, with senior staff, including school principals, promoting terrorist ideologies.^[6][8] UN Watch condemned UNRWA as “fully culpable in this fiasco” for perpetuating hateful curricula that fuel anti-Israel sentiment and support the terrorist agenda of Hamas and PIJ.^[6]

Qatar’s Role in Funding Terrorism

Qatar has channeled over $1 billion to Hamas and PIJ since 2012, with funds supporting UNRWA’s terror-linked operations.^[5] These funds have been used for terrorist salaries, tunnel networks, and logistics, with Hamas leaders like Khaled Meshaal operating from Doha.^[13] In 2025, the U.S. Senate backed expelling Hamas leaders from Qatar, highlighting the need to disrupt this financial pipeline.^[14] Qatar’s support through UNRWA undermines Israel’s security.

Global Policy Responses

Global recognition of UNRWA’s terror ties and antisemitic incitement has prompted action. The Trump administration cut all UNRWA funding and withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council.^[15] In 2025, Israel banned UNRWA operations, and the EU is considering its dissolution.^[7] U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik vowed to dismantle UNRWA, while over 200 October 7 victims filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the agency.^[3][15] These steps reflect the urgent need to address UNRWA’s failures.

Conclusion

UNRWA’s deep ties to Hamas and PIJ, its complicity in the October 7 massacre, its use as cover for terrorist infrastructure, and its antisemitic education system reveal it as a threat to Israel’s security and regional stability. With over 1,200 staff linked to terrorism, Qatar’s $1 billion fueling these activities, and textbooks praising Hitler, UNRWA is a terrorist and antisemitic infrastructure masquerading as a humanitarian agency. Israel and its allies must continue to push for UNRWA’s defunding and dissolution to prevent future atrocities and ensure justice.

References

1. Israeli intel shows 10% of UNRWA workers in Gaza have ties to terror groups – report. The Times of Israel. 29 January 2024. Accessed 20 October 2025.
2. Report: 10% of UNRWA staff affiliated with terror groups. Israel National News. 29 January 2024. Accessed 20 October 2025.
3. Oct. 7 victims sue UNRWA. New York Post. 6 August 2024. Accessed 20 October 2025.
4. Giant tunnel discovered under UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. JNS. Accessed 20 October 2025.
5. Qatar-Hamas financial, political ties. JFeed. Accessed 20 October 2025.
6. ‘Wake up Hitler, there are still people to burn,’ in Palestinian textbooks. Ynetnews. 15 March 2023. Accessed 20 October 2025.
7. UNRWA and Extremism – Frequently Asked Questions. Counter Extremism Project. Accessed 20 October 2025.
8. UNRWA knowingly let Hamas infiltrate, per UN Watch report. JNS. Accessed 20 October 2025.
9. UNRWA employee involved in abduction. JFeed. Accessed 20 October 2025.
10. New details emerge regarding UNRWA Oct. 7 complicity. JNS. Accessed 20 October 2025.
11. Rocket parts found in UNRWA-branded boxes. Jerusalem Post. Accessed 20 October 2025.
12. Hamas built server farm under UNRWA headquarters, IDF says. Free Beacon. Accessed 20 October 2025.
13. The two sources of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. JNS. Accessed 20 October 2025.
14. Qatar to expel Hamas leaders. New York Post. 15 January 2025. Accessed 20 October 2025.
15. Trump to defund UNRWA. Free Beacon. Accessed 20 October 2025.

Notes

• Israeli intelligence and international investigations consistently highlight UNRWA’s ties to Hamas and PIJ, underscoring the urgency of addressing its role in terrorism and antisemitic incitement.
• The October 7, 2023, attacks demonstrate UNRWA’s complicity, with employees directly involved in atrocities against Israeli civilians, necessitating immediate global action.
• UNRWA’s educational materials, including phrases like “Wake up Hitler, there are still people to burn,” and its failure to reform despite promises, perpetuate antisemitism and violence, as condemned by UN Watch.
• Qatar’s $1 billion in funding to Hamas through UNRWA channels raises serious concerns about the agency’s financial transparency and accountability.
• Israel’s 2025 ban on UNRWA operations and growing international support for defunding reflect a consensus that UNRWA’s terrorist and antisemitic activities must end.