Lakewood Congressman Bars U.S. Aid To Fund UNRWA and Hamas

By FrumNews.com

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Israeli aid bill that would provide more than $26 billion in critical military assistance to Israel while prohibiting any US funds from flowing to the failed and pervasively terror Anti-Semetic UNRWA in Gaza.

Lakewood-area Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) joined Rep. Tom Cole (R-KY), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) to pass the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would require the Federal government from letting the money

Inside the Israel aid bill also includes more than $9.1 billion “to address humanitarian needs in Gaza,” which Democrats said was necessary for their support.

The added amendment makes it law that the Biden administration cannot use this aid for the Anti-Semitic UNRWA.

The Israel bill passed in the House with 366 to 58. It now needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed by President Biden, which is all but expected.

Lakewood Askonim welcomed these amendments and told FrumNews.com that for many years, Congressman Smith, who proudly represents Lakewood and the surrounding Frum townships, has been a loyal friend and advocate for the Lakewood Kehilla both on a local and federal level.

“The United States must make absolutely clear in both word and deed, not just today, but every day—and without equivocation—that we stand with Israel,” said Rep. Chris Smith who proudly represents the Lakewood Kehilla, on the passage of the bill blocking UNRWA funding. “Both defensive weapons systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling and all necessary offensive military capabilities must be conveyed without delay to Israel for as long as it takes to defeat Hamas and to deter Iran, Hezbollah, and other radical Islamists”

Smith, who has led efforts in Congress to expose UNRWA’s rampant antisemitism, said the legislation would prohibit US funding for the problematic UN agency. The measure mirrors Smith’s own bill—the Stop Support for UNRWA Act of 2024 (HR 7122)—that was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February.

“Of significance, HR 8034 prohibits aid to Gaza from flowing through UNRWA, an antisemitic disgraceful organization that teaches Palestinian children to hate Jews and glorifies suicidal martyrdom and the evisceration of Israel as a state,” said Smith, who has chaired three hearings over the past ten months on UNRWA’s unbridled antisemitism and recently joined an international panel of experts in Geneva to highlight the issue.

“UNRWA is a child soldiers factory that we have funded for decades,” Smith continued. “Twenty-one years ago—on this Floor in 2003—I offered an amendment that passed the House to defund UNRWA. The Senate never acted.”

“The safety and defense of the nation is our fundamental duty. At a time of such turmoil in the world, America can’t cower to evil. I proudly voted to stand firmly on the side of freedom. These measures protect our friends and partners, bolster American defense, and support the security of the free world. This House just showed tyrants and despots who wish harm upon us and our allies that we will not waver as the beacon of leadership and liberty,” said Rep. Cole.