Ella Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, is garnering support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) despite concerns over its alleged involvement in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, the New York Post reported.

Emhoff, whose father is second gentleman Doug Emhoff, actively promotes UNRWA’s fundraising efforts on her personal Instagram.

Hillel Neuer, executive director of the nonprofit United Nations watchdog UN Watch, is among crititcs who have urged Emhoff to reconsider her support for UNRWA.

Neuer emphasized the organization’s purported association with promoting violence and terrorism. He cited instances in which UNRWA personnel allegedly facilitated terrorist activities, including the abduction of Ayelet Samerano’s son on the day of the attack.

“I am sure that if Ms. Emhoff understood how UNRWA promotes hatred and murder, she would stop raising money for them,” Neuer said.

UNRWA, which employs a significant number of individuals in Gaza, has faced long-standing criticism for its close ties to Hamas, the governing authority in the region since 2006.

Former President Donald Trump halted U.S. aid to UNRWA in 2018, a decision initially overturned by President Joe Biden, who subsequently allocated over $730 million to the agency. However, in January, Israel presented evidence implicating UNRWA staff in the Oct. 7 attack, prompting a review of funding by multiple nations.

Israel alleges that up to 450 UNRWA employees are affiliated with extremist groups in Gaza. Moreover, Hamas tunnels were reportedly discovered beneath UNRWA premises, with claims of electricity theft from the agency’s headquarters. Reports indicate that one former Israeli hostage was held captive in the residence of an UNRWA educator.

House Republicans are preparing for a formal inquiry into the matter, echoing concerns raised by the State Department. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, expressed apprehension over allegations linking UNRWA employees to the Hamas attack.

“The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel,” he said.

Several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, suspended UNRWA funding pending investigations. While some, like Canada, Sweden, and Australia, have resumed aid, the United States has not reinstated its financial support.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a prominent House Foreign Affairs Committee member, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against UNRWA.

“The U.N. has blood on its hands — time to defund UNRWA now,” he said on X in February.

Emhoff’s involvement with UNRWA follows previous fundraising efforts for Gaza through the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. Despite her father’s Jewish heritage, Emhoff has distanced herself from the religion, as affirmed by a representative in 2021.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

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