Israel has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to sever ties with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) after the Knesset approved legislation to ban the agency.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it had informed the UN of the termination of its agreement with UNRWA on the directive of Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Katz stated that UNRWA “is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution,” citing accusations of the agency’s ties with Hamas operatives.
The Director General of the @IsraelMFA Jacob Blitshtein has notified @antonioguterres and the @UN that Israel is withdrawing from the agreement regulating @UNRWA operations in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, citing the organization’s involvement in terrorism.
Many other… pic.twitter.com/70vekTGEDi
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) November 4, 2024
Israel’s decision, approved by its parliament on 28 October, saw the first bill pass with 92 votes to 10 and the second with 87 votes to 9, despite criticism from the international community, including the United States.
The first bill aims to prohibit UNRWA’s operations within Israel and occupied east Jerusalem, while the second blocks Israeli authorities from cooperating with the agency.
This action effectively nullifies a longstanding 1967 agreement that allowed UNRWA to assist Palestinian communities under Israeli jurisdiction.
The ban’s enforcement could hinder vital humanitarian efforts, with UNRWA and other organisations warning of escalating challenges in Gaza.
The agency has long provided critical aid, including food, healthcare, and education, to Palestinian refugees across the region.
Responding to humanitarian concerns, Katz dismissed the claims, stating that only a small percentage of aid flows through UNRWA.
“Even now, the vast majority of humanitarian aid to Gaza is delivered through other organisations, and only 13% of it is delivered through UNRWA,” he remarked, adding that Israel remains committed to international law and will ensure aid continues to flow safely into Gaza.
New Legislation Raises Fears Over Restricted Aid Access and UNRWA Staff Mobility in Israel and East Jerusalem
On Monday, UNRWA warned that Israel’s ban on its operations could lead to a “collapse” of humanitarian efforts in the conflict-ravaged Gaza Strip.
“If this law is implemented, it would likely cause the collapse of the international humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip – an operation of which UNRWA is the backbone,” UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler told AFP.
The agency currently provides education, healthcare, and other essential services to nearly six million Palestinian refugees, including the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are descendants of those displaced in the 1948 conflict surrounding Israel’s founding.
In January, Israel alleged that over a dozen UNRWA employees participated in a Hamas-led attack last year, during which Palestinian fighters killed more than 1,100 people, predominantly civilians, and took around 250 hostages.
In retaliation, the Israeli army launched a fierce military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 43,000 individuals, displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, and leaving vast areas of the Palestinian enclave in ruins.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Calls Israel’s Decision “Unprecedented” and Likens It to “Collective Punishment”
Earlier, 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.
The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against @UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.
This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) October 28, 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed serious concerns about the legislation, with Lammy hinting at possible sanctions on Israeli officials if UNRWA’s operations are hindered.
Belgium and Germany voiced regrets, noting that the law could impede vital aid to Palestinians, while a joint statement from Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Norway condemned the move, emphasising the importance of the UN’s role in aiding vulnerable populations.
These countries pledged support to maintain UNRWA’s capacity to function in the region.
