Calls grow to revoke UNRWA U.S. tax-deductible status

"As scrutiny of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) intensifies following allegations that at least a dozen staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 massacre, there are growing calls to revoke the tax-deductible status of UNRWA USA.

UNRWA USA describes itself as ‘an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the work of UNRWA through fundraising, education, and advocacy in the United States.’

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) tweeted, ‘The IRS needs to immediately revoke UNRWA’s tax-deductible status. It is an organization that employs terrorists who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre.’

Cotton, along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), proposed legislation that would rescind UNRWA-USA’s tax-exempt status and bar funding to UNRWA.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who led a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on UNRWA on Jan. 30, told the Jewish Journal via email: ‘I want it totally eliminated as an organization.’

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told The Washington Free Beacon regarding the tax-deductible status, ‘That is a pressure point that absolutely should be considered and looked into.’

A letter was sent to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel on Jan. 30 by International Legal Forum CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, attorney David Schoen, National Jewish Advocacy Center Director Mark Goldfeder and senior counsel Ben Schlager urging that the IRS revoke UNRWA USA’s tax-deductible status..."