Israel Enacts Law Banning UN Palestinian Refugee Agency from Operating, Sparking Global Concern
In a sweeping move, Israel’s parliament has passed new laws prohibiting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) from operating within Israel and the Israeli-administered areas of East Jerusalem. This legislation, set to take effect within three months, will also block any official contact between Unrwa staff and Israeli authorities, which critics warn will severely hamper aid operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
Unrwa, the primary UN agency managing aid in the Gaza Strip, relies on coordination with the Israeli military, especially at crossings into Gaza. However, the new restrictions mean Unrwa staff will no longer have legal protections within Israel, and the agency’s East Jerusalem headquarters will be closed.
The move has sparked strong criticism internationally. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the laws, warning that they “threaten the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” and could further destabilize the region. Unrwa’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, called the ban “unprecedented” and said it will escalate the hardships faced by Palestinians. Prominent voices from the UK, US, and Germany joined in criticizing Israel’s decision, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeling the laws “totally wrong.”
Washington’s State Department underscored Unrwa’s vital role in delivering aid to Gaza, where millions rely on the agency for food, education, and health services. The ban, they noted, jeopardizes humanitarian efforts that are essential to the civilian population of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the legislation, asserting that “Unrwa staff involved in terrorism against Israel must be held accountable.” Yet he emphasized Israel’s commitment to allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza without compromising national security.
Israel has long voiced concerns about Unrwa, accusing the agency of collaborating with Hamas in Gaza. Allegations surfaced after 19 Unrwa employees were accused of involvement in Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel. Though the UN dismissed nine of the accused, it stated that evidence supporting Israel’s broader claims was lacking. Unrwa insists its interactions with Hamas are strictly to facilitate aid distribution.
Knesset member Yuli Edelstein, who chairs the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, claimed Unrwa has been exploited as a “front for terrorism.” He argued that Israel could not tolerate what he described as the agency’s links to Hamas.
For decades, Unrwa has been a cornerstone of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, offering essential services, including healthcare and education. As the region endures ongoing conflict, the agency has become increasingly vital in addressing the crisis. Lazzarini, condemning the new laws, warned that over 650,000 Palestinian children would lose access to education, potentially jeopardizing an entire generation.
Currently, more than 2.5 million Palestinians are registered with Unrwa across Gaza and the Israeli-controlled West Bank. The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, where Israeli operations against Hamas are ongoing, remains dire, with thousands displaced and essential supplies dwindling. The UN’s human rights head, Volker Türk, recently expressed alarm at the conditions, suggesting Israel’s actions amount to a “siege.”
Israel’s military, however, denies targeting civilians, stating its intent to protect non-combatants during military operations. The escalation in Gaza follows Hamas’s attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, the Gaza health ministry reports that over 42,000 people have died amid ongoing hostilities.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many advocating for humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s civilians.
