Israel has passed legislation to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in territories under Israel’s control. The legislation that was passed on Monday risks collapsing the already fragile aad distribution process when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is on the verge of ceasing.
The ban is set to start in 90 days and lead to the closure of UNRWA’s premises in the occupied Palestine territory. The move is reportedly expected to severely restrict the UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in territories Israel occupies.
A member of Likud, the architect of the bill, said, “Anyone that behaves like a terrorist has no rights in Israel. UNRWA equals Hamas, period,” following the passing of the first law.
The move was able to go ahead despite the heated opposition from Arab members of the Knesset and strong international pressure from Western nations. As reported by CNN, the first law was approved with 92 votes in favor, 10 against. The second was approved with 87 votes in favor, 9 against.
‘Violates the International Law’
The vote was criticized by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini; he said it violated international law and was “the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role toward providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine refugees.”
UNRWA’s Reaction
The UNRWA head said the ban created a “dangerous precedent” and would “only deepen the suffering of Palestinians.”.
“This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA… These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians,” the agency’s chief Philippe Lazzarini said on X.
Earlier, as reported by the AFP news agency, a UNRWA spokesperson decried the move as “outrageous.”.
“It’s outrageous that a member state of the United Nations is working to dismantle a UN agency, which also happens to be the largest responder in the humanitarian operation in Gaza,” Juliette Touma and the AFP News reported.
The Palestinian presidency has reportedly condemned the ban, saying it would not allow such a move.
“We reject and condemn the legislation… We will not allow this. The overwhelming vote of the so-called Knesset [Israel’s parliament] shows Israel’s transformation into a fascist state,” Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for the presidency in Ramallah, said in a statement.
What is UNRWA and what is its role?
UNRWA was established by the United Nations in 1949, following the 1948 creation of Israel, which resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This event is referred to by Palestinians as the “Nakba,” or “catastrophe.” The agency was created to address the urgent needs of those affected and to provide assistance in areas such as education, healthcare, and social services.
UNRWA is distinctive as it is the only UN agency focused specifically on a particular group of refugees, namely Palestinian refugees in designated regions. Although its primary mission is to support these individuals, the agency does not have the authority to resettle them. Instead, it provides vital services like education, healthcare, and social support to assist refugees in their current circumstances.
