SKA scope:SKA lobbies in D.C.

This past week, 94 tenth grade students from SKA went to Washington D.C. to lobby congressmen, senators and their aides to promote transparency within the United States funded organization, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency).

UNRWA is an organization sponsored by the United Nations that aims to help Palestinian refugees acclimate into society and gives them social welfare and health benefits. According to the UNRWA website, about half the money UNRWA receives goes to education. However, according to many published accusations against UNRWA, the educational system is biased. Criticisms include that UNRWA fosters anti-Semitism, and teaches hatred of the U.S. and Israel. Additionally, it was reported in 2008 that Hamas stored weapons in tunnels under UNRWA schools. The U.S. has been the largest donor to UNRWA since 2011. The SKA tenth graders were lobbying that there should be transparency within UNRWA, to ensure that U.S. tax money is not used in espousing terrorism in young Palestinians. A similar bill was introduced in 2009 by Congressmen Mark Kirk and Steve Rothman. Although the bill died in committee, it is still being discussed.

As part of the trip, the students enjoyed ice skating, indoor swimming, touring Washington D.C. by foot and a bagel picnic in the warm spring air. Most important was the opportunity to influence the future of the State of Israel through lobbying U.S. political leaders. Many of the congressmen, senators and aides with whom they met said they would try to look into the matter and others said they already were strong supporters of the State of Israel. The trip was quite a rewarding and fun experience; hopefully the trip made an impact and there will be improvements to this important issue in the near future