Republican Congressman from Florida, Matt Gaetz, proposed halting funding to the United Nations, withdrawing from it, and removing its headquarters from the United States. During a speech at a conference in Florida, Gaetz stated, “I want our budget to be free of any funds allocated to the United Nations. The United States should leave the United Nations, and the United Nations should leave the United States.”
According to Gaetz, the United States should cease funding an organization whose employees have “attacked and killed Israelis.” Previously, Israel accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of alleged involvement by some of its employees in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and UNRWA decided to terminate their contracts. The number of these employees and their involvement in the attack was not reported.
The head of the organization, Filippo Grandi, stated that agency staff suspected of involvement in the attack on Israel would be prosecuted if convicted. However, Finland, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Japan, and several other countries have already announced a halt to funding the organization.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries not to allow the agency’s operations to stop, and media reports indicated that without renewed funding, the agency would not be able to operate after February. Meanwhile, Israel officially announced its intention to do everything possible to stop UNRWA’s activities.
Recent developments in US public opinion towards Israel since the Gaza war reveal a nuanced landscape. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates a decline in US public support for Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza, with only 32% of respondents advocating for US support of Israel, down from 41% in an earlier poll. Additionally, there’s a significant rise in those who believe the US should act as a neutral mediator, with figures jumping from 27% to 39%. The call for a ceasefire and negotiations is supported by 68% of the respondents, with this stance cutting across both major political parties in the US. Despite this, about three-quarters of Democrats and half of Republicans back the idea of a ceasefire, which contrasts with President Joe Biden’s position. Biden has resisted international pressures for a ceasefire, instead urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties, a commitment Israel asserts it’s upholding.
On the other hand, a poll highlighted by The Times of Israel reveals a different aspect of US sentiment, showcasing significant support for Israel over Hamas among US voters. This support is evident across various age groups, with the highest backing among the older demographics.
In terms of political actions, the US has historically used its veto power at the UN to block resolutions critical of Israel. This practice has continued with at least 34 instances where the US vetoed UN Security Council resolutions concerning Israel, reflecting a longstanding policy to protect its ally on the international stage. The most recent example of this was during the ongoing conflict, where the US, along with Russia and China, vetoed resolutions calling for humanitarian pauses and ceasefire in Gaza, demonstrating the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
