The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was originally established in 1949 to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. However, over the decades, the agency has become embroiled in a deeply politicized and contentious environment, particularly with the rise of Hamas in Gaza. Evidence has surfaced suggesting that Hamas has not only co-opted the agency but has actively used it as a tool to promote its own extremist ideology, influencing the education of Palestinian children and shaping a generation’s worldview.
UNRWA has been accused, and the evidence demonstrates that it has been completely infiltrated by Hamas, with numerous teachers and staff members being linked to the organization and who openly support its violent genocidal agenda. One of the most disturbing facets of this infiltration is the way in which Hamas has used the agency’s educational programs to instill hatred toward Jews and Israel. In schools run by UNRWA, textbooks and curricula gratuitously include content that demonizes Jews, glorifies martyrdom, and incites violence. Rather than promoting peace, tolerance, and coexistence, the UNRWA education system under Hamas' influence has contributed to a culture of radicalization, with children being taught to view Jews as enemies to be annihilated, and Israel as a state to be destroyed.
UNRWA has repeatedly been accused of turning a blind eye to these abuses. Despite some attempts at reform, the agency has struggled to prevent the infiltration of extremist ideology in its institutions. Critics argue that this complicity, whether intentional or a result of ineptitude, has allowed Hamas to use the agency as a vehicle for its propaganda, with the ultimate goal of fostering a generation of children who see violence as a legitimate means of achieving political ends, including the genocidal destruction of Israel and the elimination of Jews.
The impact of this influence cannot be understated. The teaching of hate in schools affects not only the children who are indoctrinated but also the broader societal context. By perpetuating a narrative of victimhood and vengeance, Hamas ensures that Palestinian youth grow up with little hope for peace or reconciliation with Israel, and instead view their sole purpose as being a part of the violent struggle against the Jewish state. This toxic indoctrination fuels cycles of violence, making peace ever more elusive.
The failure of UNRWA to address these issues seriously has led to increasing calls for reform, and even for the agency's closure. Critics argue that, by allowing itself to be used as a propaganda tool for Hamas, UNRWA is not fulfilling its mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and support, but rather contributing to the ongoing conflict and undermining efforts toward a peaceful resolution. While the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees are real, the agency’s complicity in fostering hatred and extremism calls into question its ability to carry out its mission in any meaningful way. Until these issues are addressed, UNRWA risks continuing to be a tool for radicalization rather than a force for peace.
