Knesset approves ban on UNRWA activities in occupied Palestinian territories, Hamas considers it starvation of Palestinians

The Israeli Knesset on Monday approved a bill that would ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel, despite US objections.

The deputies approved the project by a majority of 92 votes against 10 votes of opposition, after years of fierce Israeli campaign against UNRWA, which increased since the start of the war on Gaza on October 7 of last year.

On October 10, members of the UN Security Council warned Israel against moving forward with legislation banning the agency, following a warning to that effect by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Introducing the text on Monday, MK Yuli Edelstein claimed that there is “a deep connection between the terrorist organization (Hamas) and UNRWA, and Israel cannot accept that.”

Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement, “We reject and condemn the Israeli legislation regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).”

Dangerous precedent

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the Israeli ban on the agency's operations inside Israel "will only deepen the suffering of the Palestinians, especially in Gaza."

Lazzarini stressed that “banning UNRWA services will not deprive the Palestinians of their refugee status, as this status is protected by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly until a just and lasting solution to their plight is reached.”

He described the decision as “unprecedented, sets a dangerous precedent, contravenes the UN Charter, and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.”

Before the bill was adopted, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the Israeli move was inconsistent with the UN Charter and Israel's obligations under international law.

The movement reiterated that "there is no security or stability unless the Palestinian people regain their rights."

UNRWA was established in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees in several countries. It runs health centres and schools in Gaza and the West Bank, and is considered the “backbone” of international aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Some of the agency's largest donors suspended their contributions at the beginning of the year after Israel accused 19 of the agency's 13,000 staff in Gaza of participating in the October 7, 2023 attack. But most donors have resumed their contributions.

(Agencies)