Sen. Blackburn Demands Investigation into UNRWA Hostage Allegations

The UNRWA is under scrutiny following claims by an Israeli journalist that one of its employees held an Israeli hostage during recent Gaza Strip conflict.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn has demanded an investigation into allegations that a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employee held an Israeli hostage during recent fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The allegations were made by Israeli Channel 13 reporter Almog Boker, who claimed that the hostage was held captive for almost 50 days by a UNRWA teacher.
Blackburn has given US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini until Dec. 18 to respond to the claims.
The UNRWA has called Boker’s claim “unsubstantiated” after the reporter failed to respond to the agency’s requests for more information.
If the allegations are true, Blackburn has stated that the US must “immediately defund this terrorist-sympathizing organization,” and that not one more US taxpayer dollar should go towards funding UNRWA.