Israeli Lawmakers Cast Votes to Prohibit UN Refugee Organization
The Knesset has halted all operations of UNRWA in Israeli-controlled areas, alleging that the agency supports Palestinian militants. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Knesset has passed two significant bills aimed at curbing the operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has faced allegations of supporting Hamas.
The UNRWA was established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees who emerged following the founding of Israel and the subsequent Arab-Israeli conflict. The Israeli government has accused the agency of providing support to Hamas and other militant groups.
In a vote of 92-10, Knesset members approved a bill declaring that UNRWA will no longer “operate any institution, provide any service, or conduct any activity, whether directly or indirectly” within Israel.
“UNRWA long ago ceased to be a humanitarian aid agency, but in addition to it being an integral supporter of terror and hate, is an agency to eternalize poverty and suffering,” asserted MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, before the vote. He also referenced Israeli allegations that some UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack.
In August, the UN dismissed nine UNRWA employees amid suspicions regarding their involvement in last year’s Hamas incursion, while another ten were found to have no wrongdoing.
Following the bill's passage, Edelstein deemed it “historic,” asserting that it represented the “elimination of one of the arms of terror that acted under UN auspices.”
The legislation primarily pertains to the eastern part of Jerusalem, which is claimed by Israel as its sovereign territory. To address this, the Knesset also approved a second bill by a vote of 87-9. This bill annulled the 1967 treaty between Israel and UNRWA that permitted the agency's operations on Israeli-controlled territory and prohibits all Israeli government bodies or officials from engaging with UNRWA 90 days post-passage.
According to MK Dan Illouz from the ruling Likud party, Israel’s Jerusalem Ministry will assume responsibilities previously held by UNRWA in East Jerusalem, utilizing “independently funded” agencies that will not impose additional budgetary burdens. Illouz noted that the Israeli government is forming plans for an “educational framework” for children and “an alternative health framework” for all, details of which remain classified.
All Arab Knesset members, along with the opposition Democratic Party, voted against the bill. MK Ahmad Tibi from the Hadash-Ta’al party emphasized that approximately 90,000 UNRWA workers provide essential services to Palestinian refugees, advocating for the agency's shutdown only upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Several countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, urged Israel to reconsider its stance on outlawing UNRWA, expressing “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Additionally, Washington has indicated that failure to provide aid to Palestinians may jeopardize some aspects of US military assistance to Israel.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
The UNRWA was established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees who emerged following the founding of Israel and the subsequent Arab-Israeli conflict. The Israeli government has accused the agency of providing support to Hamas and other militant groups.
In a vote of 92-10, Knesset members approved a bill declaring that UNRWA will no longer “operate any institution, provide any service, or conduct any activity, whether directly or indirectly” within Israel.
“UNRWA long ago ceased to be a humanitarian aid agency, but in addition to it being an integral supporter of terror and hate, is an agency to eternalize poverty and suffering,” asserted MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, before the vote. He also referenced Israeli allegations that some UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack.
In August, the UN dismissed nine UNRWA employees amid suspicions regarding their involvement in last year’s Hamas incursion, while another ten were found to have no wrongdoing.
Following the bill's passage, Edelstein deemed it “historic,” asserting that it represented the “elimination of one of the arms of terror that acted under UN auspices.”
The legislation primarily pertains to the eastern part of Jerusalem, which is claimed by Israel as its sovereign territory. To address this, the Knesset also approved a second bill by a vote of 87-9. This bill annulled the 1967 treaty between Israel and UNRWA that permitted the agency's operations on Israeli-controlled territory and prohibits all Israeli government bodies or officials from engaging with UNRWA 90 days post-passage.
According to MK Dan Illouz from the ruling Likud party, Israel’s Jerusalem Ministry will assume responsibilities previously held by UNRWA in East Jerusalem, utilizing “independently funded” agencies that will not impose additional budgetary burdens. Illouz noted that the Israeli government is forming plans for an “educational framework” for children and “an alternative health framework” for all, details of which remain classified.
All Arab Knesset members, along with the opposition Democratic Party, voted against the bill. MK Ahmad Tibi from the Hadash-Ta’al party emphasized that approximately 90,000 UNRWA workers provide essential services to Palestinian refugees, advocating for the agency's shutdown only upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Several countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, urged Israel to reconsider its stance on outlawing UNRWA, expressing “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Additionally, Washington has indicated that failure to provide aid to Palestinians may jeopardize some aspects of US military assistance to Israel.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
