Israel Parliament Votes to Ban UNRWA, UN’s Palestine Aid Agency
Israel’s parliament has passed two contentious bills that ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israeli-controlled areas.
This decision is set to take effect in 90 days, severely impacting the distribution of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Impact on Gaza’s Aid Distribution
UNRWA, established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, has been the leading humanitarian agency in Gaza, providing essential services and aid. The agency’s ability to function in the region will be paralyzed under this new legislation. UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, called the ban a “dangerous precedent” that will “deepen the suffering of Palestinians.”
Banning Contact with UNRWA
The first bill, which prohibits UNRWA from providing any services within Israel, passed with a 92-10 vote. The second bill, which declares UNRWA a “terror” organization and bars Israeli officials from any contact with the agency, passed 87-9. Critics argue that the move could collapse the entire humanitarian process in the region.
UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma labeled the decision as “outrageous,” emphasizing that dismantling the agency will worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
