The flag of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) flies over their West Bank Field Office in Jerusalem. Picture: Ahmad Gharabli / AFP
Israel’s parliament has recently approved two laws prohibiting the United Nation’s Palestinian refugee organisation, UNRWA, from working on Israeli land or in territories under Israeli control.
According to Israel authorities, 12 of UNRWA’s employees were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack and several were affiliated with Hamas.
UNRWA has a total of 13,000 employees and is the primary supplier of humanitarian help to Palestinians.
This move, which is scheduled to take effect in 90 days, may deprive millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza of education, health care, and other assistance.
Importantly, the organisation protects Palestinian refugees’ right to return home, something Israel has long resisted for the six million refugees registered with UNRWA.
Novara Media reported that Israel’s attack on Palestinians has murdered at least 230 UNRWA personnel, making this the bloodiest conflict for UN workers since the organisation’s inception in 1945.
UNRWA’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, responded to the ban in a statement on X (Twitter).
“These bills increase the suffering of the Palestinians and are nothing less than collective punishment. This should be a concern to all,” posted Lazzarini.
Political commentator Hasan Piker also posted on the micro-blogging platform saying: “Israel has not stopped its genocide in Gaza, it’s still bombing Lebanon, and its Knesset just voted to ban UNRWA, the UN agency that is life support for Palestinian existence. western powers have shown the world that the ruled based international order is a lie.”
IOL