The UNRWA Reform Act of 2023 would block the United States from sending money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, unless the Secretary of State certifies that strict conditions have been met. Before any funds can be released, the State Department would need to verify that UNRWA has conducted anti-terrorism vetting of all employees and contractors, passed an independent audit showing school curricula contain no antisemitic content, ensured all registered refugees were personally displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, and obtained written certification that UNRWA recognizes designated Palestinian terrorist organizations. The bill applies to funding appropriated through existing law, meaning it would affect current and future budget allocations to the organization. While no specific funding amount or timeline is mentioned in the legislation, the certification requirements would need to be satisfied before any obligation of previously appropriated funds could occur.
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