Jerusalem: Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.
Set to take effect within three months, the new law will also prohibit any contact between UNRWA employees and Israeli officials, significantly hampering the agency’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
UNRWA is a critical player in providing humanitarian aid, education, and healthcare to millions of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where the majority of the population relies on its support.
The agency’s ability to transfer aid is heavily dependent on cooperation with the Israeli military, which controls all crossings into Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the legislation, stating that its implementation would adversely affect efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and compromise regional peace and security.
The vote by the Israeli Parliament against @UNRWA is unprecedented. It opposes the @UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.
Failing to push back against these bills will weaken our common multilateral mechanism.
This should be a… https://t.co/kx5JJOVEGe
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 28, 2024
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, warned that the ban would exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians, describing it as a measure that “opposes the UN Charter and violates Israel’s obligations under international law.”
Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, have expressed serious concerns about the decision. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy labelled it “totally wrong,” while Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned that the law could jeopardize UNRWA’s essential humanitarian work in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the legislation, asserting that UNRWA workers linked to terrorist activities must be held accountable. However, he emphasized the need for ongoing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, stating that, “We stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure humanitarian aid continues without threatening Israel’s security.”
The Knesset approved the legislation with overwhelming support, with Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the foreign affairs and security committee, accusing UNRWA of being a “cover for terrorist actions.” He claimed a direct connection between UNRWA and Hamas, which has been the focus of Israel’s military operations since the group launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and hostage-taking.
The law has raised alarms regarding its implications for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 42,710 people have been reported killed since the outbreak of conflict.
UNRWA’s closure in East Jerusalem will leave millions of registered Palestinians without access to essential services.
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