Israeli Lawmakers Support Declaring UN Agency ‘Terrorist’
The Knesset has moved forward with three legislative proposals aiming to prohibit UNRWA operations in Israel and remove the immunity granted to its personnel. Read the complete article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A series of legislative proposals in the Israeli Knesset could result in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) being designated as a terrorist entity, with its personnel losing immunity and its operations within Israel being prohibited.
Established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees, UNRWA operates in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza. Israel accuses the agency of supporting Hamas and other militant Palestinian factions.
MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beitenu, who initiated the bill to label UNRWA a terrorist organization, remarked, “We are on the UN’s blacklist in any case. All the excessive morality ended on October 7.” She described the agency as “a fifth column” in Israel.
In its initial reading, the Knesset backed Malinovsky’s proposal by a vote of 50-10. Additional legislation was also moved forward to prevent any activities by UNRWA within Israel and to remove the legal protections typically afforded to UN personnel.
The trio of bills has been forwarded to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further analysis and must undergo two additional rounds of voting before becoming law.
UNRWA employs over 30,000 people and provides essential services such as food aid, healthcare, education, and social welfare to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as refugees in adjacent nations. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stated that more than two million individuals rely on these services for their basic needs.
The Israeli government alleged earlier that certain UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostages taken into Gaza. Israel further claimed that numerous agency employees assisted Hamas by supplying intelligence and allowing their premises to serve as hideouts.
These allegations prompted 18 donor countries to suspend their funding to UNRWA. Nevertheless, a subsequent independent investigation mandated by the UN found no evidence supporting Israel's accusations.
In retaliation to the October attacks, Israel commenced military operations, including airstrikes and a ground invasion into Gaza, leading to substantial Palestinian casualties and injuries, data from the Gaza Health Ministry indicated.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees, UNRWA operates in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza. Israel accuses the agency of supporting Hamas and other militant Palestinian factions.
MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beitenu, who initiated the bill to label UNRWA a terrorist organization, remarked, “We are on the UN’s blacklist in any case. All the excessive morality ended on October 7.” She described the agency as “a fifth column” in Israel.
In its initial reading, the Knesset backed Malinovsky’s proposal by a vote of 50-10. Additional legislation was also moved forward to prevent any activities by UNRWA within Israel and to remove the legal protections typically afforded to UN personnel.
The trio of bills has been forwarded to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further analysis and must undergo two additional rounds of voting before becoming law.
UNRWA employs over 30,000 people and provides essential services such as food aid, healthcare, education, and social welfare to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as refugees in adjacent nations. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stated that more than two million individuals rely on these services for their basic needs.
The Israeli government alleged earlier that certain UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostages taken into Gaza. Israel further claimed that numerous agency employees assisted Hamas by supplying intelligence and allowing their premises to serve as hideouts.
These allegations prompted 18 donor countries to suspend their funding to UNRWA. Nevertheless, a subsequent independent investigation mandated by the UN found no evidence supporting Israel's accusations.
In retaliation to the October attacks, Israel commenced military operations, including airstrikes and a ground invasion into Gaza, leading to substantial Palestinian casualties and injuries, data from the Gaza Health Ministry indicated.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
