{"id":2126399,"date":"2023-12-15T17:29:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T22:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-gives-34-million-to-confidential-aid-groups-in-gaza-watchdog-warns-the-money-could-enrich-terrorists\/"},"modified":"2023-12-15T17:34:22","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T22:34:22","slug":"biden-admin-gives-34-million-to-confidential-aid-groups-in-gaza-watchdog-warns-the-money-could-enrich-terrorists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-gives-34-million-to-confidential-aid-groups-in-gaza-watchdog-warns-the-money-could-enrich-terrorists\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden Admin Grants $34M to &#8216;Confidential&#8217; Gaza Aid Groups; Watchdog Cautions Against Terrorist Enrichment"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbiden-admin-gives-34-million-to-confidential-aid-groups-in-gaza-watchdog-warns-the-money-could-enrich-terrorists%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2126399&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The\u2062 Biden Administration&#8217;s Secret Funding for Aid Groups in Gaza Raises \u200cConcerns<\/h2>\n<div>\n<figure><figcaption>A UNRWA office in the Gaza Strip (Said Khatib\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>The\u200b Biden administration is set to provide millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to\u2064 aid groups operating in \u200cthe Gaza Strip. However, the identities of these organizations are\u200d being kept confidential, making\u200d it difficult for \u2062congressional appropriators to ensure that the money won&#8217;t end up in\u2064 the hands of Hamas or other terrorist entities \u200bknown for misusing American aid.<\/p>\n<p>The White House\u2064 has allocated at \u2063least\u200d $34 million in U.S. taxpayer funds for undisclosed nonprofits \u2062and United Nations agencies in the Gaza Strip, according to a review by NGO Monitor, a watchdog group that tracks international organizations.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;This lack of transparency\u200c prevents congressional oversight and independent assessment of \u2063the ultimate recipients of \u2064U.S. government funding,&#8221; the watchdog \u200dgroup \u200cstated. &#8220;The potential \u2064for abuse in the Palestinian context is\u200b acute and indisputable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Hamas\u2062 has a history of stealing\u2063 international aid intended for the Gaza Strip. Despite this, the Biden administration is providing over $120 million to various U.N. organizations and \u2063nonprofits\u2063 in the region. \u2062The absence of safeguards raises concerns about\u2064 how Congress can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-governor-encourages-people-to-call-police-on-neighbors-violating-covid-orders\/\" title=\"Oregon Governor Encourages People To Call Police On Neighbors Violating COVID Orders\">make informed decisions<\/a>\u200c on appropriations without knowing who will benefit \u2062from these funds.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;At a time \u2062when the U.S. is pressuring the Israelis to dial back\u200b on the intensity of the war\u2063 in Gaza, the least thing the U.S. could \u2064do is demand greater transparency\u2064 from the U.N., as money and assistance from the \u200bmultilateral organization has been diverted for Hamas\u2019s benefit for decades,&#8221; said Jonathan\u200b Schanzer, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-cant-guarantee-taxpayer-aid-wont-enrich-hamas\/\" title=\"Biden Admin Can\u2019t Guarantee Taxpayer Aid Won\u2019t Enrich Hamas\">terrorism finance analyst<\/a> at the Treasury Department.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>According to the United Nations&#8217; financial tracking database, the \u200dU.S. government plans to award $9 million to undisclosed &#8220;U.N. agencies and NGOs&#8221; for various\u2063 health and nutrition\u2064 programs. Another $9 million will go to undisclosed &#8220;international NGOs&#8221; for general use in\u200d 2024. NGO Monitor\u2064 warns that\u200b these allocations involve cash transfers to unknown groups and individuals.<\/p>\n<p>An additional \u200b$2\u2062 million\u200c grant from \u200cthe United States is designated for undisclosed nonprofits in 2024. The American government will also\u2062 spend\u200d $5 million on food security programs and $9 million on health and nutrition programs in\u200d Gaza, with the recipients of these grants marked as &#8220;confidential.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>NGO Monitor cautions that\u200b the\u200c United Nations\u2063 has a history of allowing funds to benefit terror groups\u2063 like Hamas due to inadequate vetting and oversight measures.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Previous \u2063aid diversion\u2014enabled by weak to \u2064non-existent counterterror policies \u2062among international\u200b NGOs and U.N. agencies, and in some cases, direct cooperation\u2014contributed significantly to Hamas\u2019 terror capacity in Gaza,&#8221; warns the\u200b watchdog group.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Furthermore, the United Nations does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, unlike the United States, making it easier for funds\u200d to reach entities potentially linked to the militant group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How effective are the \u200cUnited Nations&#8217; oversight and monitoring mechanisms in preventing the misuse of aid funds in the Gaza Strip?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  \u2064Ence of transparency raises concerns about\u2064 the potential for misappropriation of funds and whether they will reach the intended recipients in need.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, reports have\u2062 exposed instances of Hamas diverting aid meant for reconstruction and \u2063humanitarian purposes towards its military capabilities and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-israel-pounds-underground-palestinian-terror-networks-assets-with-110-precision-bombs\/\" title=\"WATCH: Israel Pounds Underground Palestinian Terror Networks, Assets With 110 Precision Bombs\">underground tunnel network<\/a>. The\u200c lack of accountability and oversight in the region has allowed Hamas \u200cto exploit international aid for \u200dits own nefarious agenda. It is crucial for the Biden administration to take these risks into consideration and ensure that every measure is taken to prevent funding from falling into the wrong \u200bhands.<\/p>\n<p>One major concern is the involvement of United Nations agencies in the \u2063distribution of aid funds. While the UN plays a \u2062crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations worldwide, there have been\u2064 instances where its agencies have been \u200dcomplicit in \u2064facilitating the misuse \u200dof aid. This raises \u200dquestions about the effectiveness of the UN&#8217;s \u2063oversight and \u2064monitoring mechanisms in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n<p>Another \u2064issue\u200d is the undisclosed nature of the aid \u2064groups receiving funding. Without transparency, it \u2062becomes challenging for congressional appropriators and other stakeholders \u200bto assess the legitimacy and effectiveness of these organizations. It \u200calso\u200b impedes their ability to ascertain whether \u200bthe funds are being used for their \u200bintended purposes or diverted for illicit\u2063 activities.<\/p>\n<p>To address these concerns, it is imperative for the \u200cBiden\u200d administration\u2062 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-taxpayers-sent-more-than-400-million-to-gaza-since-hamas-takeover-2\/\" title=\"Over 0 million sent to Gaza by US taxpayers since Hamas takeover.\">establish robust monitoring<\/a> and evaluation mechanisms. This should \u2063include\u200d regular reporting on the\u2062 allocation \u2062and utilization of funds, as well as thorough background checks \u200con\u200d the aid groups involved. Collaboration with reputable international watchdog organizations, such as NGO Monitor, could also provide an additional layer of scrutiny and accountability.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, engaging with the Palestinian Authority and other regional actors to ensure cooperation and coordination in aid distribution is\u200d essential. Implementing strict conditions and safeguards for the usage\u200b of funds can help mitigate the risk of diversion and enhance transparency. \u2064Prioritizing local civil society organizations \u2063with \u2062proven track records of \u2063accountability and efficiency can also minimize the\u2062 potential for misappropriation.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for the Biden administration to strike a balance between providing much-needed assistance to the people of Gaza and safeguarding taxpayer\u2063 funds from falling into the\u200b wrong hands. By addressing the concerns\u2063 surrounding transparency and accountability, the administration can enhance the\u2062 effectiveness of its aid efforts and contribute to long-term stability and development \u2063in the region.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the Biden administration&#8217;s secret funding for aid groups in \u200bGaza raises legitimate concerns about\u200d the \u2063potential for misappropriation of funds by Hamas or other terrorist entities. The lack of transparency \u200cand undisclosed nature of the aid recipients make\u200c it challenging for\u200d congressional oversight and independent assessments. To mitigate these risks, the administration must establish\u2062 robust monitoring mechanisms, engage with reputable international\u2064 watchdog organizations, and prioritize the involvement \u2063of\u2064 accountable\u2063 local civil society organizations. By doing \u2064so, the administration can\u2064 ensure that the funds are used as intended and contribute to \u200bthe welfare of \u2064the people in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Biden administration plans to provide substantial funds to aid groups in Gaza, but their identities remain undisclosed. This secrecy poses a challenge for congressional appropriators who seek to ascertain if the money will benefit the intended recipients or lead to corruption<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":117,"featured_media":2126400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[544],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2126399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-free-beacon"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2126399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2126399"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2126399\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2126400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2126399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2126399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2126399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}