Israel Approves Bill Declaring UNRWA a Terrorist Organization

July 23, 2024

The Israeli parliament (Knesset) gave preliminary support to a controversial bill on July 22, 2024, that would have called UNRWA a terrorist group. After being accused of working with Hamas, Israel has been campaigning against the UN agency, and this move is a big step up in that campaign.

The Bill’s Details

After its first reading, the suggested law will be talked over again by the foreign affairs and defense committees. The bill’s sponsor, Yulia Malinovsky, called UNRWA a “fifth column within Israel,” which shows that the organization and Israeli officials have long-standing problems.

UNRWA’s Role

UNRWA is in charge of giving millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and several nearby countries basic services like schooling, health care, and humanitarian aid. The agency has had tense relationships with Israel in the past, and things have gotten even worse since the war in Gaza started.

Accusations Against UNRWA

Israeli officials say that a lot of UNRWA workers are connected to terrorist groups, mostly Hamas and Islamic Jihad. But the Israeli government hasn’t shown proof of these claims to a separate U.N. study yet.

International Response

Because of Israel’s claims, some donor countries stopped giving money to UNRWA. However, many of them are now starting to give again. Britain just recently said that it would start paying again. The Israeli bill was criticized by both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian officials asked people around the world to fight any attempts to break up the UN organization.

About United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

Establishment and Scope of Operations: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was established in 1949 specifically to support Palestinian refugees. It operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, serving over 5 million registered refugees. UNRWA’s mandate includes providing essential services such as education, health care, and social services, emphasizing human rights and long-term development.
Funding and Contributions: UNRWA relies on voluntary contributions, primarily from UN member states, to fund its operations. This financial model requires continuous support from the international community to sustain its programs and services for Palestinian refugees. The agency’s dependence on voluntary donations often leads to financial instability, impacting its ability to deliver consistent services.

« Previous Post Next Post »