Israeli legislation prohibits the operation of UNRWA

Israel passed a bill Monday banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East from operating in the country, legislation that could affect the UN agency's work in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

In a 92-10 vote, the Knesset passed the first bill, which bans UNRWA from carrying out any activities or providing any services in Israel next year. The Knesset then voted 87-9 in favor of a second bill that would cut off official contacts with UNRWA.

The bill, drafted by Israeli lawmakers, accuses some employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of involvement in the Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7 last year, saying some UNRWA employees are members of Hamas and other armed groups.

The legislation has alarmed the United Nations and some of Israel's Western Allies, who fear it will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The new law is expected to have a direct impact on UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is occupied by Israel, but not recognized abroad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on social media platforms after the vote: "UNRWA employees involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable." Since it is also essential to avoid a humanitarian crisis, there must be continued humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip now and in the future."

"We stand ready to work with our international partners 90 days before and 90 days after the law takes effect to ensure that Israel continues to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip in a way that does not threaten Israel's security," he said.

The Israeli ban on UNRWA does not concern the United Nations agency's operations in the Palestinian territories or elsewhere.

The Knesset also passed an appendix to the new bill, which states that the Israeli authorities can no longer contact UNRWA, but that exceptions may be made in the future.

The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, called Israel's ban on UNRWA operations a "dangerous precedent" that violates the UN Charter and Israel's obligations under international law.

Palestinian presidential spokesman Ali al-Rudenai condemned Israel's legislative decision, stressing that Israel's move violates international law and is a challenge to United Nations resolutions. Rudainay said the move was aimed not only at refugees, but also at the United Nations and the world.

The United States is deeply concerned about the Knesset decision, with State Department spokesman Stephen Miller saying Monday: "We have made clear to the Israeli government that we are deeply concerned about it." He reiterated UNRWA's "critical" role in the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

"We continue to urge the Israeli government to suspend implementation of this legislation," Miller said. We urge the Israelis to reject this bill completely, and we will consider our next steps in light of what happens in the coming days."

Before the passage of the UNRWA bill, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Australia issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over the Israeli bill. "It is of the utmost importance to ensure that UNRWA and other UN agencies effectively carry out their mandate to provide full humanitarian assistance and assistance to those most in need," the statement said.

Established in 1949, UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance, education and health services to registered Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Following the outbreak of the new Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October last year, UNRWA played a key role in providing humanitarian assistance to the population of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has long alleged that some of UNRWA's staff in the Gaza Strip have links to terrorist organizations. On April 22, an independent UN panel issued a final report saying Israel had yet to provide evidence linking UNRWA staff to terrorist organizations.