Israel's parliament (Knesset) voted to ban the United Nations agency (UNRWA). The law prohibits the agency from operating on Israeli soil. The law was passed 92-10, according to the BBC.
According to the law, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is helping people in Gaza, the West Bank and other areas of Israel, must stop working within 3 months.
UNRWA provides education, health services and other basic needs to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The agency is helping 2.5 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
The passage of this law increases the possibility of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as there are already shortages of food, water and medicine. At the same time Israel says that UNRWA is in collusion with Israel.
UNRWA was declared a terrorist group
A second bill was voted on in the Knesset on Monday. In which UNRWA was declared a terrorist organization and Israeli officials were prohibited from having any contact with this United Nations organization. The legislation passed 87-9.
Previously, UNRWA helped people who fled Palestine and settled in other countries. A treaty was signed between Israel and the United Nations in 1967. In this, UNRWA was also allowed to assist Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories of Israel. The treaty has now been annulled by a vote in Israel's parliament.
Israel said – UNRWA is associated with Hamas
Israel alleges that UNRWA personnel are working with Hamas, and that 19 of the agency's personnel participated in an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel said it had found evidence that hundreds of UNRWA employees were linked to Hamas.
The United Nations launched an investigation following Israel's accusations. In August, 9 UNRWA staff were dismissed from their jobs. After this, the United States and the European Union stopped funding UNRWA for a while. However, UNRWA deliberately refused to assist Hamas.
Israelis have called for the organization to be abolished amid accusations that UNRWA staff are affiliated with Hamas.
The leader of Netanyahu's party said – UNRWA means Hamas After the implementation of the law, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that humanitarian aid would continue to reach Gaza now and then, but that UNRWA workers involved in terrorist incidents in Israel should be held accountable. He said that there are still 90 days left for the law to come into effect. Even then, we will work to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Boaz Smith, leader of Netanyahu's Likud party, said that anyone who behaves like a terrorist has no right to live in Israel. UNRWA stands for Hamas.
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said this was a violation of international law. Attempts are being made to discredit the UN organization and stop aid to Palestinian refugees. He said Israel's move sets a 'dangerous precedent'.
The international community expressed concern
Many countries, including the US, have expressed concern over the ban on UNRWA. Before the vote, the US appealed to Israel not to pass this law. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that UNRWA has played an important role in Gaza. Because of the ban, the organization's work there will be difficult.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was concerned by Israel's move. Apart from this, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea have also condemned this step of Israel.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
