The Israeli parliament has passed laws banning the operation of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the country. Israel has long criticized this organization and accused its employees of participating in the Hamas attack on October 7.
The Knesset adopted two documents. The first prohibits UNRWA from conducting “any activity or providing any services” in or from Israel. The second one cuts off formal ties with this organization and prohibits Israeli officials and institutions from cooperating with UNRWA.
Boaz Bismuth, an MP from Netanyahu's Likud party, who was one of the co-authors of the first draft of the law, said its adoption was a call for justice and a warning signal that “UNRWA is not a refugee aid agency, it is a Hamas aid agency.”
The session of the Israeli parliament was accompanied by protests by the families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas to the Gaza Strip, who demand that the government adopt a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible, which would release the detainees.
In the evening, an anti-government demonstration took place in front of Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. The participants, in addition to the release of the hostages, also demanded, among other things, establishing an independent commission to investigate the government's actions in connection with the October 7 attack. Police said nine people were arrested.
Protest in front of the KnessetABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA
Israel accuses UNRWA of involvement in the October 7 attack
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) employs over 30,000. employees, including 13 thousand in the Gaza Strip. Most of them are Palestinians.
UNRWA, financed by the governments of other countries, deals with, among others: running schools, providing medical care and social benefits. Currently, it plays an important role in providing humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by the war that has been going on for a year.
At the beginning of the year, Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of direct participation in the attack on October 7, later it was added that a significant percentage – over 10 percent – belonged to Hamas and the allied Palestinian Islamic Jihad. – Gazan staff of the organization. UNRWA has denied accusations of its employees' ties to Hamas, saying Israel has never provided convincing evidence.
“UNRWA employees involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” the prime minister's office said in a statement Benjamin Netanyahu. The need to maintain humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip was also emphasized and it was noted that the new law would enter into force after 90 days, and Israel was open to cooperation with other international aid organizations.
The Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA's activitiesDEBBIE HILL/PAP/EPA
European countries criticize Israel for the UNRWA law
This unprecedented vote violates the Charter of the United Nations and Israel's obligations under international law, commented UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini on X. He added that the new Israeli law will deepen the suffering of the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip, and its adoption should be treated as a “collective punishment.”
She also expressed concern about the new law European Union and USA. The UNRWA laws were passed on the first day of the winter session of the Knesset, which met on Monday after the summer break.
Foreign Office German condemned on Monday an Israeli law banning the activities of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel and East Jerusalem. She also expressed serious concern Great Britainand issued a joint condemnatory statement Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain.
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German Commissioner for human rights and humanitarian aid Luise Amtsberg stated that the Knesset's decision “will effectively prevent UNRWA's work in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem (…) and jeopardize the provision of essential humanitarian aid to millions of people.”
Amtsberg stressed that implementing the new law in its current form “would be a disastrous step” and that “our efforts to bring peace to the Middle East would be hampered.”
“Israeli action against a UN-mandated organization that has been carrying out essential work since 1950 is a dangerous signal of disrespect for the United Nations and international cooperation,” she said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement expressing “serious concern” about the outcome of the vote in the Israeli parliament. “This legislation threatens to prevent UNRWA's essential work on behalf of the Palestinians, jeopardizing all international humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip and the provision of basic health and education services in the West Bank,” he wrote. He added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “simply unacceptable.”
Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain also expressed outrage and issued a joint statement. “The agency's work is essential and irreplaceable for millions of Palestinians, especially in the current situation in the Gaza Strip,” wrote the governments of these four countries.
Main photo source: DEBBIE HILL/PAP/EPA