Podcast Summary

Podcast: Let’s Give A Damn
Host: Nick Laparra
Episode: 274 - Mara Kronenfeld
Date: January 17, 2025
Guest: Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA

Episode Overview

This episode features an urgent and heartfelt conversation between Nick Laparra and Mara Kronenfeld about the critical role of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) in Gaza, the impending Israeli ban on the agency, and what listeners can do to help. Beyond the immediate crisis, the discussion also dives into Mara's personal journey, her motivations, and the ongoing struggle against disinformation related to Palestine. The episode is an appeal to both empathy and action—urging the audience to stay engaged and advocate for the preservation of humanitarian lifelines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Impact of the Conflict on Mara and Her Team

• Mara's Emotional State & Duty

  • Mara describes the last 15 months as "15 months of hell" ([05:29]) for herself and her small team at UNRWA USA, who are deeply engaged with the crisis 24/7.
  • Many on her team have family in Gaza, intensifying the personal stakes.
  • She reflects on the emotional toll:

    “Our brain chemistry has transformed... we are different people now than we were when this started.” (05:29 - Mara)

  • Despite her emotional nature, Mara feels a responsibility to process her pain and act, rather than disconnect.

• Balancing Family and Advocacy

  • Mara shares the challenge of parenting and shielding her children from trauma while ensuring they remain compassionate and aware.
  • She notes the "privilege to even attempt" to separate work and personal life, unlike the people directly affected in Gaza ([08:58]).

2. Mara’s Background and Moral Compass

• Upbringing & Family Influence
  • Raised in a globally-minded, academic family in Southern California, Mara was taught to understand and care for people outside her context.
  • Her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, embodied the value: "Never again for anyone."
  • Questioning authority and unconditional love from parents were major formative elements.

    “The key moments in my life have been when I realized how little I know.” (16:09 - Mara)
    “That has been the mantra... they came for me and suddenly I was alone.” (18:02 - Mara)

3. The Role and Structure of UNRWA & UNRWA USA

• What is UNRWA?

  • A United Nations agency established in 1949 to support the basic needs of Palestine refugees—intended as a temporary solution, but still essential after 75 years ([24:57]).
  • Functions in Gaza, West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, serving nearly 6 million refugees.

• What is UNRWA USA?

  • A separate, financially independent 501(c)3 non-profit established in 2006 to fundraise and build awareness in the U.S.

  • Works in alignment with UNRWA but controls its own funds for accountability and compliance with U.S. regulations.

  • Overhead is impressively low (around 4–4.5%), meaning roughly 96 cents on the dollar go to direct aid ([29:54]).

    “With this small group of 10 people, we raised over $50 million in 2024… our overhead rate is around 4%.” (29:54 - Mara)

4. The Threat of the Israeli Ban on UNRWA

• Ban Context and Timeline

  • In October 2024, Israeli laws initiated a 90-day countdown for banning UNRWA in Gaza and the West Bank. The precise date and process remain deliberately vague ([33:21]).
  • Mara describes this as a "unilateral, outrageous action by one state," with catastrophic humanitarian consequences if implemented.

• UNRWA as Irreplaceable Lifeline

  • The agency is currently the principal provider of food, water, shelter, medical care, and education in Gaza, especially with other infrastructure destroyed ([37:43]).

    “What has happened in this campaign against UNRWA… was really to get rid of UNRWA. Why? Because... UNRWA keeps Palestinians alive.” (36:23 - Mara)

  • Banning UNRWA would directly endanger millions, with no viable alternatives in sight.

5. Call to Action & Advocacy

• How Listeners Can Help

  • Donate: Immediate funds are being sent to support urgent needs, including food, medicine, water, and trauma counseling for children ([39:16]).

  • Advocacy:

    • Use digital toolkits and templates at unrwaha.org/stoptheban for messaging and social media.
    • Contact congressional representatives and advocate for the restoration of U.S. funding.
    • HR9495 is referenced as a critical bill needing support.

  • Mara promises transparency: UNRWA USA will keep supporters informed if and when they are unable to continue making transfers due to the ban.

• Magnitude of Public Support

  • American donors stepped up dramatically after the U.S. government defunded UNRWA—UNRWA USA went from 7,000 to over 140,000 donors, raising $51 million, making individual Americans the third-largest donor globally ([45:38]).

    “That $51 million doesn’t fill the $360 million U.S. government gap, but it is a huge effort that has kept thousands, if not tens of thousands of people alive.” (45:38 - Mara)

6. Education and Generational Impact

• Disruption of Education
  • 600,000 children in Gaza are out of school for the second year; UNRWA was their sole education provider ([45:38]).
  • Prolonged conflict and trauma threaten the future of an entire generation.

7. Ceasefire News and Emotional Rollercoaster

• Reaction to Ceasefire Rumors

  • Both Nick and Mara describe a mix of hope, skepticism, and emotional exhaustion concerning the possible ceasefire ([49:32]).

    “Every time we thought we’d hit the bottom... a new hell descended.” (51:16 - Mara)

• UNRWA’s Essential Role

  • Even as Israel threatens them with expulsion, Israeli authorities rely on UNRWA logistical capacity for things like bulldozing roads in anticipation of temporary returns—a tacit admission of UNRWA’s irreplaceable infrastructure ([51:16]).

8. Disinformation and Advocacy in the U.S. Context

• Fighting Disinformation

  • Mara acknowledges the 'war' of misinformation, the deliberate campaign to demonize UNRWA, and urges people to critically evaluate media and seek first-hand knowledge ([57:32]).

    “Keep doing the good work you’re doing. Go to UNRWA’s site, they have a claims and facts section… question authority, question popular media.” (57:32 - Mara)

  • She directly addresses those who spread falsehoods:

    “I am a Jewish American who went to Gaza, who met with every UNRWA staff member... I have never, not once, seen what the allegations are.” (59:36 - Mara)

9. Legislative Threats to Nonprofits

• HR9495 "Nonprofit Killer" Bill
  • Nick warns about a pending bill that could let the administration unilaterally designate nonprofits as terrorist organizations, threatening to shut down dissenting humanitarian agencies ([61:00]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Generational Transmission of Values:

  “All the key moments in my life have been when I realized how little I knew.” (16:09 - Mara)

• On UNRWA’s Irreplaceable Role:

  “UNRWA keeps Palestinians alive. If you get rid of UNRWA, more Palestinians die.” (36:23 - Mara)

• On American Solidarity:

  “The American people became the third-largest donor to the Gaza emergency — that’s what gives me hope.” (45:38 - Mara)

• On Combating Disinformation:

  “It is a battle. It's a war in itself. That disinformation war is what allowed the actual war on people to happen.” (57:32 - Mara)

• On Hope and Perseverance:

  “We’ve got to hope. We got nothing else. We have to hope.” (51:16 - Mara)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:29] Mara on the psychological toll and team’s personal connection to Gaza
• [13:13] Mara recounts her upbringing and formation of her values
• [24:57] Explanation of UNRWA and UNRWA USA’s structure and purpose
• [29:54] Overhead and donation efficiency at UNRWA USA
• [33:21] Details of the Israeli ban and what’s at stake
• [36:23] The strategic targeting of UNRWA and the broader consequences
• [39:16] Call to immediate action: funding, advocacy, and education
• [45:38] The American public’s massive response and impact
• [49:32] Mixed emotional reactions to (possible) ceasefire news
• [57:32] Mara on the fight against disinformation
• [61:00] Legislative threats (HR9495) and critical advocacy needed

Resources & Action Steps

• Donate & Learn More: unrwausa.org
• Advocacy Toolkit & Messaging: unrwausa.org/stoptheban
• Write Your Reps: [Link will be in show notes]
• Learn the Facts: UNRWA’s website “Claims & Facts” section
• Monitor Legislative Issues: HR9495 information and action link (check show notes)

Tone & Language

The conversation is urgent, empathetic, and deeply personal, driven by both a shared sense of moral responsibility and a clear-eyed view of the humanitarian realities in Gaza. There is no preaching or partisanship—just the honest reflections of two people committed to truth and action, filled with both grief and unwavering hope.

Final Call

Nick and Mara urge listeners to give generously, advocate persistently, fight disinformation, and believe in the possibility of a just and peaceful future for all.

“Come to the side of the angels with us.” (59:36 - Mara)