President Donald Trump has initiated a review of U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This marks a potential step towards withdrawing funding from the agency. Established in 1949 to provide basic necessities to over five million Palestinian refugees in the region, UNRWA's purpose is deeply intertwined with the recognition of the right to return of these people to their ancestral homes upon resolution of conflict, a position Israel has historically rejected.
This move aligns with Trump's earlier decisions on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocating the U.S. embassy there, furthering U.S.-Israeli cooperation on territorial annexation by force. It also contributes to the perception that U.S. priorities increasingly favor Israel's interests.
The rationale behind these actions includes reversing the deterioration in U.S.-Israel relations, a concern for certain sectors of American public opinion and parts of the Republican party. The decisions are more about catering to a discontented domestic audience than strategic calculations.
These decisions affect U.S. standing as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Historically, the U.S. has not been an unbiased mediator, but it has been seen as capable of forcing Israel into concessions. The shift in U.S. policy towards Israel undermines its role as a mediator. This could lead to a stagnation in peace negotiations and exacerbate tensions in Palestinian elections this year. The U.S.'s new approach may inadvertently contribute to instability and hinder a just, long-lasting solution.
