Israel Says UNRWA Is ‘Rotten’ as Concern Builds Over New Laws’ Impact on Aid
Recap:
Two bills passed through Israel’s Knesset that bans UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory. Israel will seek to impose the measures within 90 days.
The Context:
· UNRWA was established to help the 700,000 Palestinians affected during Israel’s War of Independence in 1948. It now offers support to the refugees and their descendants, who number some 6 million around the world. Israel argues that the organization perpetuates the Palestinian refugee crisis by allowing the status to be passed down through generations. On October 7th, several UNRWA staffers were found to have participated in the Hamas massacre and Israel claims that 10% of UNRWA has ties to Hamas [1]. Palestinians are the only group of people with a dedicated refugee agency.
· The new laws sever all ties with UNRWA and ban its operations in Israel. Without Israeli support, it will be almost impossible for UNRWA to work in Gaza or the West Bank, since Jerusalem would no longer be issuing entrance permits or allowing coordination with the IDF. For decades, UNRWA has operated networks of schools, medical facilities and other services around Gaza and the West Bank [2].
· To address the mounting international criticism, Israel says it’s prepared to work with international partners to ensure that humanitarian aid can still reach Gazan civilians. Israel claims that UNRWA is “already limited and reduced” in Gaza and is no longer the leading aid provider, pointing to UNICEF taking the lead on polio vaccinations, and the UN World Food Program taking the lead on food distribution [3].
· The US blasted the legislation arguing that it risks “catastrophe” for millions of Palestinians. The US, as recently as October, continues to press Israel to increase aid going into Gaza or face a potential stoppage of US weapons transfers. Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Norway released a joint statement condemning Israel’s ban and warned that it sets a “very serious” precedent for the work of the UN [4].
· In February, the IDF revealed the existence of a Hamas data center directly beneath UNRWA’s Gaza Strip headquarters. The IDF has also repeatedly targeted Hamas command centers and gunmen hiding in UNRWA schools [5].
Conversation Points:
· How should Israel manage a situation where Palestinians require aid, but their main source of aid is an organization deeply intertwined with Hamas?
· Why doesn’t the UN provide Palestinian aid through its umbrella refugee agency?
· How did the US election contribute to Israel’s decision to wait 90 days before the ban comes into effect?
· Does UNRWA create an obstacle to peace? Why?
Notes:
1. Israel says UNRWA in Gaza is ‘rotten’ as concern builds over new laws’ impact on aid, Lazar Berman, Times of Israel, October 29th, 2024
2. Why Israel's UNRWA ban could be devastating for Palestinians, Alexander Smith, NBC News, October 30th, 2024
3. UNRWA chief says new Israeli laws targeting UN agency mean ‘more people will die in Gaza’, Times of Israel, October 29th, 2024
4. US calls on Israel to tackle ‘catastrophic humanitarian crisis’ in Gaza, Patrick Wintour and Andrew Roth, The Guardian, October 29th, 2024
5. UNRWA chief says new Israeli laws targeting UN agency mean ‘more people will die in Gaza’, Times of Israel, October 29th, 2024
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