Knesset Approves Controversial Legislation
Israel’s parliament has passed legislation that prohibits the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and the Palestinian territories, designating the agency as a terror organization. This move effectively cuts all ties between UNRWA and the Israeli government, with 92 MPs voting in favor and only 10 opposing.
Background on UNRWA
UNRWA was established in 1948 to assist the 700,000 Palestinians displaced during the war that led to the founding of Israel. The agency provides essential services, including education, healthcare, relief, and social services, across the Middle East. Currently, it supports nearly 6 million refugees in areas like the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. In Gaza alone, over 1.4 million Palestinians are registered as refugees in eight camps, with the population heavily relying on UNRWA for basic needs amid ongoing conflict.
Concerns Over the Ban
The Israeli government has long criticized UNRWA, claiming that its support for descendants of the original refugees hinders peace negotiations. However, during the parliamentary debate, no alternative plans were proposed for the agency’s potential replacement, raising questions about the future of aid to Palestinian refugees.
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, expressed deep concern regarding the legislation, noting the absence of any viable replacement for UNRWA during the current crisis. He emphasized that the agency plays a crucial role in addressing immediate humanitarian needs.
UNRWA Responds
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner general, condemned the Knesset’s decision, stating that the legislation would exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where conditions have been dire for over a year. He warned that depriving more than 650,000 children of education could jeopardize an entire generation, describing the measures as a form of collective punishment.
