Israel’s parliament has passed a law to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within its borders. The law includes the occupied territories of east Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
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The Knesset passed the measure late Monday, Oct. 28, with a decisive 92-10 vote, setting the legislation to take effect in 90 days.
This law will prevent UNRWA from providing services or conducting activities within Israel’s jurisdiction, impacting aid for over 1.9 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza, who face critical shortages of food, water and medical supplies.
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Israeli officials allege that some UNRWA employees have ties to terrorism, linking agency staff to attacks carried out by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the need for accountability, asserting that UNRWA’s presence could compromise Israel’s security. He also noted the importance of maintaining humanitarian aid in Gaza without undermining Israel’s safety.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that the legislation could set a dangerous precedent for global humanitarian operations. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced concerns, urging Israel to reconsider, stating that prohibiting UNRWA’s operations could have severe implications for Palestinian access to basic needs such as health care, education and essential supplies.
The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against @UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) October 28, 2024
This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit…
The U.S. and several allies, including the U.K., Germany and France, opposed the legislation, with the U.S. State Department emphasizing that UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in Gaza, where it provides vital aid to the Palestinian population.
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UNRWA, established in 1949, assists millions of Palestinian refugees displaced in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It operates clinics, schools, and food distribution centers throughout Gaza and the West Bank.
Under the new law, UNRWA may need to close its east Jerusalem office, and restrictions on entry permits for international staff could complicate aid coordination in Gaza.
[Craig Nigrelli]
ISRAEL’S PARLIAMENT VOTED TO BAN THE U.N. RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY WITHIN 90 DAYS, A MOVE THAT WILL PREVENT THE AGENCY FROM OPERATING WITHIN ISRAEL, INCLUDING EAST JERUSALEM, GAZA, AND THE WEST BANK. THIS WAITING PERIOD LEAVES TIME FOR ISRAEL TO COORDINATE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS ON MAINTAINING HUMANITARIAN AID CHANNELS.
THE MOVE HAS SPARKED GLOBAL CONCERN, WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL LEADERS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM FRANCE, GERMANY, AND THE U.K., EXPRESSING DISMAY. THE U.S. WARNED ISRAEL THAT MILITARY AID COULD BE AFFECTED IF HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS IN GAZA DO NOT IMPROVE.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU DEFENDED THE DECISION, CITING ACCUSATIONS THAT UNRWA EMPLOYEES HAVE SUPPORTED TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, WITH HIS OFFICE STATING THAT ANY UNRWA PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ATTACKS ON ISRAEL “MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.” THE U.N. RECENTLY TERMINATED NINE UNRWA EMPLOYEES IN GAZA AMID SIMILAR ALLEGATIONS.
UNRWA HAS PROVIDED ESSENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND FOOD ASSISTANCE, TO PALESTINIAN REFUGEES ACROSS THE WEST BANK, GAZA, AND NEIGHBORING ARAB COUNTRIES SINCE 1949.
THE NEW LAW PROHIBITS THE AGENCY FROM OPERATING WITHIN ISRAEL’S TERRITORIES, COMPLICATING EFFORTS TO COORDINATE AID IN GAZA, WHERE UNRWA HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE AMID ONGOING CONFLICT.
SINCE THE ONSET OF THE GAZA WAR OVER A YEAR AGO, 230 UNRWA STAFF MEMBERS HAVE DIED.
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