Cruz and Scott's LIABLE Act Targets UNRWA for Supporting Hamas in Oct. 7 Attack

Senators Ted Cruz and Rick Scott, along with other Republican colleagues, have introduced the Limiting Immunity for Assisting Backers of Lethal Extremism (LIABLE) Act. This legislation aims to allow American victims of terrorism to sue international organizations that provide support to terrorist groups, such as Hamas. The bill specifically targets organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been accused of aiding Hamas. The LIABLE Act seeks to remove the legal immunity currently enjoyed by these international organizations under the International Organization Immunity Act (IOIA). This move comes in response to allegations that UNRWA has been supporting Hamas, including facilitating the terrorist attack on October 7th, which resulted in significant casualties and kidnappings. During the Biden administration, UNRWA received hundreds of millions of dollars, which critics argue indirectly supported Hamas. In a related development, Representatives Claudia Tenney and Jared Moskowitz have reintroduced the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act. This bipartisan legislation would prohibit federal agencies from contracting with companies that engage in boycotts of Israel, reflecting a broader effort to combat anti-Semitism and support Israel. The bill requires federal contractors to certify they are not engaged in a boycott of Israel, with a 30-day period to correct any violations, and would impact contracts starting January 1, 2026. It has been modeled on similar legislation in nearly 40 states and previously garnered 23 co-sponsors.