Israeli parliament bans UN agency UNRWA, sparking humanitarian and diplomatic concerns

In a historic and controversial vote, Israel’s Knesset has barred the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within Israeli-controlled territories.

The legislation passed on Monday, restricts the nearly eight-decade-old UN agency from providing services to Palestinian refugees within Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

This decision has raised fears of significant humanitarian challenges for Palestinians who depend on UNRWA’s services for food, healthcare, and education.

The legislation includes two primary bills: one preventing UNRWA from functioning within Israel and the territories it controls and another forbidding Israeli authorities from cooperating with UNRWA.

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This law nullifies a 1967 agreement that had facilitated UNRWA’s service provision to Palestinian communities under Israeli oversight. The first bill passed with 92 votes in favour and 10 against, while the second passed with 87 votes in favour and 9 opposed, reflecting overwhelming support in the Knesset for this change despite notable opposition.

Boaz Bismuth, a Likud member and sponsor of the bill, framed the measure as a security imperative, stating, “Anyone that behaves like a terrorist has no rights in Israel…UNRWA equals Hamas, period.”

Meanwhile, Yuli Edelstein, a Knesset member who also supported the legislation, asserted that it would not impede humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. He insisted that the move adheres to international legal frameworks, despite widespread criticism and doubt from global observers.

The international response to Israel’s decision was swift and highly critical. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed grave concerns about the potential ramifications of the legislation, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggested that sanctions could be imposed on Israeli officials if the UN agency’s operations become unsustainable.

Belgium and Germany issued statements voicing deep regrets, with Germany’s human rights and humanitarian assistance commissioner warning that the legislation could render UNRWA’s activities “impossible,” cutting off essential aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

A joint statement from Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Norway condemned the legislative move as setting a “very serious” precedent, highlighting the importance of the UN’s multilateral system in delivering aid to vulnerable populations worldwide. These nations, according to the statement, intend to support donor and host countries in upholding UNRWA’s capacity to function effectively in the region.

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, decried Israel’s decision as “unprecedented,” likening it to “collective punishment” and predicting increased suffering among Palestinians.

He highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, where Palestinians have faced severe limitations on resources and safety, particularly in the last year. An UNRWA spokesperson echoed these concerns, describing the new law as “disastrous” and noting that it could effectively incapacitate the agency’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

The passage of these laws in the Knesset also received sharp condemnation from Hamas, which described the legislation as part of a “Zionist war” against Palestinians.

In a statement shared by Agence France-Press, Hamas criticised the action as “aggression” and asserted that it targeted the Palestinian people and their rights. Similarly, Islamic Jihad, an allied group, characterised the law as an escalation of “genocide” against Palestinians.

The United States also expressed concern, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighting UNRWA’s crucial role in Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Miller emphasised that the agency was irreplaceable in the current context, noting the severity of the needs in the region.

In addition to the UNRWA legislation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuted reports of a ceasefire proposal involving the release of four Israeli hostages.

The rumoured plan, initially referenced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, purportedly involved a 48-hour ceasefire in Gaza.

However, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the claim, stating, “If such a proposal were made, the prime minister would accept it on the spot.”

This development comes amid continued hostilities in northern Gaza, where the Israeli military is conducting operations aimed at dislodging Hamas forces, according to the Israeli government.

On the ground, the Gaza health ministry reported that as of late October, approximately 43,020 Palestinian lives have been lost, with over 101,110 wounded since Israeli strikes began on 7 October.

Thousands more are feared trapped under collapsed buildings. The worsening situation has led to the near-complete shutdown of medical facilities in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Meanwhile, heightened hostilities have also impacted Lebanon, with Israel’s recent evacuation order covering substantial areas of Tyre following a series of airstrikes in the southern Lebanese city. Lebanese authorities reported at least seven casualties from strikes on a residential complex in Tyre.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the political rift between Israel and the UN escalate, the Israeli government’s decision to restrict UNRWA’s role has cast a spotlight on the agency’s future and the international community’s ability to mitigate rising needs among Palestinian refugees.