UN The UN Security Council has expressed its concerns with surprising unanimity over Israel’s decision to ban the Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA). Today, in a statement, all members, including the United States, “strongly warned against any attempt to distort or diminish the work and mandate of UNRWA.” An interruption in UNRWA’s work would have “severe humanitarian consequences” for millions of Palestinian refugees.
The Israeli parliament passed a law on Monday banning UNRWA’s activities in Israel, including East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. This prevents the agency from communicating and coordinating with Israeli authorities, which would mean the end of UNRWA’s work in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
UN: Respect “Privileges and Immunities”.
UN In its statement, the Security Council called on Israel to comply with its international obligations and respect UNRWA’s “privileges and exemptions”. No organization can replace the aid organization’s services to Palestine refugees and civilians.
Since the Gaza war was sparked by a major attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas a year ago, the UN Security Council has been unable to speak with one voice. Resolutions have repeatedly failed due to vetoes by Israel’s main ally, the United States.
UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and has been providing critical assistance to Palestinian refugees. Israel has long been critical of the UN Palestine Relief Agency. Relations have been at an all-time low since a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in which Israel accused several aid agency workers of being involved in the unprecedented attack.
The ban, now passed by Israel’s parliament, is set to go into effect in three months. According to the aid organization Doctors Without Borders, this will further worsen the chances of survival of people in the Gaza Strip. Doctors Without Borders Secretary-General Christopher Lockyear said the ban would have a “catastrophic impact” on the situation for Palestinians in the region. His organization condemned Israel’s decision “in the strongest terms.”
