Tok! Israel Officially Bans UN UN UNRWA Agency From Operating In Its Territory

UNRWA Shelter in Gaza, Palestine. (Source: UNRWA)

JAKARTA - The Israeli parliament on Monday passed a law banning the Palestinian refugee agency PBB (UNRWA) from operating in the country's territory, a move it fears could affect the work of the aid agency in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

MPs who drafted the law cited what they described as the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, as well as staff members in Hamas and other armed groups.

The law has made the United Nations and some of Israel's Western allies fear it will further worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has been battling Hamas militants for a year.

However, the ban does not refer to operations in Palestinian territory or elsewhere.

"UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. Because avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also important, continued humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on social media after the vote.

"In the 90 days before this law takes effect and after that we are ready to work closely with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel's security," he continued.

The Israeli parliament also authorized the addendum to the new law stating that Israeli authorities could no longer be in touch with UNRWA, but exceptions to it could be made in the future.

UNRWA, United Nations Agency for Assistance and Work for Palestinian Refugees, employs tens of thousands of workers and provides education, health, and assistance to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Relations with Israel have long been strained, but relations have deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Gaza and Israel have repeatedly called for UNRWA to be dissolved, and its responsibilities have been transferred to other UN agencies.

Last August the United Nations said nine UNRWA staff may have been involved in the October 7 attack and have been sacked.

Meanwhile, a Hamas commander in Lebanon - who died last month in an Israeli attack - was found to have a job at UNRWA. Another commander who died in Gaza last week also worked as a UN aid worker. UNRWA has confirmed that the two men are employees.

"If the United Nations is not willing to remove this organization from terrorism, from Hamas activists, then we must take action to ensure that they cannot harm our people anymore," Israeli lawmaker Sharren Haskel said.

"The international community can take responsibility and ensure that they use the right organization to facilitate humanitarian aid, such as the World Food Organization, such as UNICEF, and many others working around the world," Haskel continued.

Another lawmaker, Boaz Bismuth, said UNRWA's work there had been counterproductive for years.

"If you really want stability, if you really want security, if you want true peace in the Middle East, an organization like UNRWA wouldn't take you there," said Bismuth.

The law is likely to have a direct impact on UNRWA agencies in East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in an act that is not recognized abroad.

Israel itself has faced great international pressure to do more to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, giving more access to aid to people displaced by Israeli operations.

Before the law was passed, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Japan and South Korea, Canada and Australia issued statements expressing "deep concern."

"It is imperative that UNRWA and other UN organizations and agencies fully provide humanitarian assistance and assistance to those most need it, fulfilling their mandate effectively," the statement said.