Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he "completely agrees" with U.S. President Donald Trump's critique of the U.N. agency aiding Palestinian refugees.
The United States has reportedly frozen the Jan. 1 transfer of $125 million in funding to the U.N.'s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The U.S. is the largest donor to the agency, with a pledge of nearly $370 million as of 2016.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu voiced support for Trump's threat to cut aid to the Palestinians, saying the UNRWA "perpetuates the Palestinian refugee problem and the right of return narrative, in an effort to eliminate the State of Israel."
"Therefore, UNRWA should pass from the world," Netanyahu declared.
While Netanyahu praised Trump's "critical approach" to the aid issue, he steered clear of advocating a suspension of funding for the Palestinians, reflecting concern that cutting off funds could exacerbate Palestinian hardship and put Israel on a collision course with Palestinian terrorist groups.
He said U.N. aid funds should be transferred to Gaza gradually via its global refugee agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, "with clear criteria for supporting genuine refugees and not fictitious ones, as is happening today under UNRWA."
UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said the refugee crisis was being perpetuated by "failure of the parties to deal with the issue. UNRWA is mandated by the General Assembly to continue with its services until a just and lasting solution is found for the Palestine refugees."
