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Israel's parliament, Knesset, voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. The law limits UNRWA's communication with Israeli officials, hindering its essential operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Almost all of Gaza's residents depend on UNRWA's services, sparking condemnation and warnings that aid access could be severely disrupted. Israel defended the law, citing accusations of staff connections to Hamas attacks, though opposition to UNRWA dates back decades.
For more on UNRWA and Israel's ban, click on.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees. It offers essential services, including education, healthcare, and shelter, across the Middle East.
UNRWA was established in 1949 to aid over 700,000 Palestinians displaced during the Nakba—the expulsion of Palestinians so that Israel could be founded. Its mission is to provide humanitarian assistance to these refugees.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, extending crucial support to Palestinian refugees in these regions with diverse services.
UNRWA provides extensive services, including education, healthcare, relief programs, social services, and infrastructure in refugee camps, addressing the needs of Palestinian refugees.
During conflicts, UNRWA plays a critical role by running shelters and distributing food, water, and hygiene supplies, especially in Gaza, where many rely on its assistance for survival.
UNRWA primarily relies on voluntary contributions from UN member states for funding. It also receives some financial support directly from the United Nations.
The agency employs approximately 30,000 people, mostly Palestinians, to carry out its operations, which are essential for the almost six million refugees it serves.
UNRWA serves nearly two million registered refugees across eight Palestinian camps in Gaza, providing shelter, healthcare, and daily essentials to a highly vulnerable population
In the West Bank, around 800,000 Palestinians are registered as refugees, many of whom rely on UNRWA for education, healthcare, and basic services.
The recent Gaza conflict has left nearly the entire population dependent on UNRWA for essentials like food, water, and hygiene products, emphasizing its role in humanitarian support.
International aid groups, including the UN World Food Program, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and celebrity chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen provide aid in Gaza. But the main challenge is delivering food to Gaza, where these organizations depend on UNRWA's support.
Over 200 UNRWA staff members have lost their lives in Israeli attacks since October 2023, highlighting the risks faced by its employees in delivering aid during conflicts.
On October 28, 2024, Israel's parliament, Knesset, voted to ban UNRWA's activities within Israel, intensifying the debate over the agency’s role in the region and its impact on peace efforts.
The first bill that passed prohibits all UNRWA activities and services on Israeli territory, with the ban scheduled to take effect in three months. The second bill cuts all connections between government employees and UNRWA, revoking the legal immunities of its staff.
Critics argue that Israel's actions, particularly its failure to acknowledge the establishment of a Palestinian state and its ongoing settlement activities, are the primary obstacles to achieving peace.
During the current conflict with Hamas, Israel has also repeatedly claimed that UNRWA has employed militants from Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously urged the US (Israel's primary ally and the agency’s largest donor) to withdraw its support, claiming that the agency is "perforated by Hamas."
A six-page Israeli dossier, presented to the US, accused 12 UNRWA staff members of involvement in the October 2023 attacks, alleging nine militants worked within the agency's schools.
The dossier claimed that Israel had evidence that UNRWA employed 190 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, which would represent 0.64% of the total UNRWA staff if true. Following an investigation, UNRWA dismissed nine employees but denied it knowingly aids armed groups.
However, UNRWA has long shared the list of its staff with Israel. Speaking earlier this year, the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, reiterated this arrangement.
Critics argue that banning UNRWA in Israel threatens aid distribution in Gaza, especially at a moment when Israel is under increased US pressure to ramp up aid.
While UNRWA's core activities are in the West Bank and Gaza, it requires Israel's cooperation to operate, particularly to allow them access to Gaza's border crossings.
The new Israeli law doesn't outline alternative organizations to replace UNRWA's services, potentially disrupting essential aid for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and beyond.
Several governments, including the UK, and international aid groups have voiced strong opposition to Israel's ban.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over Israel's legislation, highlighting UNRWA's irreplaceable role during the current crisis in Gaza.
UNRWA condemned Israel's decision, with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warning it would worsen Palestinian suffering, especially for children needing education and basic aid.
Lazzarini cautioned that Israel's decision risks depriving over 650,000 children in Gaza of education, imperiling an entire generation's future.
Lazzarin also described the legislation as "collective punishment," arguing it escalates Palestinian suffering during an already severe crisis and impedes relief efforts.
As tensions rise, UNRWA's future and Palestinian refugee support remain central to international debates on aid, accountability, and conflict resolution.
Sources: (The Guardian) (BBC) (The Washington Post)
See also: What is the UN Security Council?
What is UNRWA, and why has Israel banned it?
Knesset declared the UN agency for Palestinian refugees a terror organization
LIFESTYLE Palestine
Israel's parliament, Knesset, voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. The law limits UNRWA's communication with Israeli officials, hindering its essential operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Almost all of Gaza's residents depend on UNRWA's services, sparking condemnation and warnings that aid access could be severely disrupted. Israel defended the law, citing accusations of staff connections to Hamas attacks, though opposition to UNRWA dates back decades.
For more on the UNRWA and Israel's ban, click on.