Outrage as Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff fundraises for UN agency tied to Oct 7 Israel attack

WASHINGTON, DC: In an eyebrow-raising turn of events, Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has found herself embroiled in controversy after publicly raising funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The move comes amidst allegations of UNRWA members' involvement in a terrorist attack in Israel, leading to the United States and several other nations cutting funding to the organization.

Ella Emhoff raises funds for UNRWA

Ella Emhoff, daughter of second gentleman Doug Emhoff, initially posted a link to UNRWA's English-language fundraising page on her personal Instagram account. This raised eyebrows, prompting swift action only after inquiries from the New York Post to the White House.

"We urge Ms. Emhoff to go on the website of UN Watch and read our reports showing how UNRWA teachers and school principals systematically promote and encourage Jihadi terrorism and the slaughter of Jews," stated Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of the nonprofit United Nations watchdog.

"I am sure that if Ms. Emhoff understood how UNRWA promotes hatred and murder, she would stop raising money for them, and she would apologize to victims such as Ayelet Samerano, whose 21-year-old son Yonatan was kidnapped on October 7th by an UNRWA social worker," Neuer added.

UNRWA, known as the largest employer in Gaza, has long faced criticism for its close ties to Hamas, which has governed the enclave since 2006. This criticism intensified when Israel presented evidence linking UNRWA employees to a terrorist attack on October 7, resulting in at least 1,200 fatalities at a music festival near the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials alleged that as many as 450 UNRWA workers are members of extremist groups in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, revelations emerged of Hamas tunnels being uncovered under the agency's headquarters in Gaza, with reports indicating electricity siphoning from the building.

Disturbingly, one released Israeli hostage claimed they were held prisoner in the home of a UNRWA teacher, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

President Trump's decision to cut US aid to UNRWA in 2018 was initially reversed by President Biden when he took office. At least $730 million found its way to the agency under Biden's leadership.

Republicans prepare for investigation

The situation prompted strong reactions from political figures, with House Republicans gearing up for a formal investigation.

“The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel,” State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said at the time. “The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”

Following the allegations, several nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria, Sweden, Iceland, and Romania, suspended funding to UNRWA. While some countries like Canada, Sweden, and Australia have since reinstated aid, the United States has not.

"UNRWA has blood on its hands. And VP Harris knows this – or she should. I hope she'll tell as many people as she can," remarked Rep Darrell Issa (R-Calif), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

This isn't the first time Ella Emhoff has been at the center of controversy regarding fundraising efforts. Earlier, the New York Post revealed her involvement in raising money for Gaza through the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund.

Additionally, despite her father's Jewish background, Emhoff has distanced herself from the faith. “Ella is not Jewish,” her representative confirmed to the Forward in 2021.

Social media backlash

Social media was inundated with reactions after it emerged Ella Emhoff was raising money for UNRWA.

"The stepdaughter of America's Vice President is raising money for people who deeply hate America," one posted on X.

"Is anyone surprised?" another asked.

"Basically, raising money for a terrorist cause," someone else added.

"Shameful!! Antisemitism is such an ugly sight to see," a comment read.

"Do people even think anymore….? Or is it all just whatever's popular?" another wondered.

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