UNRWA policy discussions often waste precious activist energy on the unachievable goal of getting rid of UNRWA – which would require the agreement of a majority of UN members. However, the UN will never vote for a measure that openly favors Israel. Instead, UNRWA policy change must be articulated in terms of universal United Nations values, which stress peace and reconciliation. It cannot be presented as a pro-Israel resolution. The working assumption is that UN members and relief agencies* funding the $1.6 billion UNRWA budget, 58% of which is earmarked for education**, ascribe to UN values of peace and reconciliation. UNRWA policy change must therefore be couched as an UNRWA Peace initiative, for UNRWA to conform to UN values.
Citing Trump’s support, Smotrich calls for ‘fire & brimstone,’ annexing parts of Gaza if Israeli hostages are harmed
Peloni: Smotrich was correct. Either all the hostages should be released on Saturday or the war should resume.
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After U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas on Tuesday, many Israeli leaders responded favorably and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to follow through on the president’s threats.















