Israel bans UNRWA, UN aid agency, due to Hamas affiliations

JERUSALEM,— Israel’s parliament passed legislation on Monday banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Gazans or West Bank residents Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within the country, marking a significant shift in policy that may reverberate across Gaza and the wider region.

The ban, which Israeli lawmakers attribute to alleged involvement of some UNRWA personnel in the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel, could challenge efforts to provide humanitarian relief in Gaza, where UNRWA plays a substantial role in supporting Arab refugees.

The legislation has raised concerns within the United Nations and among Israel’s Western allies, who fear it might worsen the already severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, a region heavily affected by ongoing conflict with Hamas. The new law, however, does not restrict UNRWA’s work in Arab territories beyond Israel’s borders or elsewhere globally.

Shortly after the law’s approval, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a statement emphasizing that while any UNRWA employees linked to militant activities must face consequences, Israel remains committed to supporting humanitarian aid for Gaza’s civilians. “As we implement this law over the coming 90 days, we will continue coordinating with international partners to ensure that humanitarian support reaches civilians in Gaza without compromising Israel’s security,” Netanyahu wrote.

Included in the law was an amendment stipulating that Israeli officials should refrain from direct contact with UNRWA. However, the amendment allows for potential exceptions in the future. UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, criticized the legislation, calling it a “dangerous precedent” that defies the United Nations’ charter and Israel’s international obligations.

In a public statement, Lazzarini expressed concern, noting, “This continues a longstanding effort to delegitimize UNRWA’s critical role in providing essential services and support to Arab refugees.”

UNRWA’s contributions to the region are considerable, employing tens of thousands of staff and offering education, healthcare, and other services to millions of Gazans, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

The agency’s relationship with Israel has been strained for decades, but tensions have reached new heights since recent hostilities began. Israel has consistently called for UNRWA’s responsibilities to be reallocated to other U.N. agencies, arguing that the agency’s presence is counterproductive to regional stability.

Concerns have also been raised by Israel and some of its allies over instances where UNRWA personnel have been linked to militant activities.

In August, the U.N. confirmed that nine UNRWA employees were investigated for possible involvement in the October 7 attack, leading to their dismissal. Further, two individuals affiliated with Hamas, who were killed by Israeli forces, were later confirmed as former UNRWA employees.

Israeli lawmaker Sharren Haskel, a proponent of the legislation, defended the law, stating, “If the U.N. does not take decisive action to ensure UNRWA is free from terrorist influences, we must act to protect our citizens.”

Haskel also suggested that other organizations, such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, could take over the distribution of aid to Gaza.

Ahead of the vote, an UNRWA spokesperson cautioned that the law could have dire consequences for humanitarian operations in both Gaza and the West Bank. “Attempts to replace UNRWA in the past have consistently failed,” said Juliette Touma, the agency’s primary spokesperson, who emphasized that the organization remains a vital force in humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

She added, “It is troubling that a member state is actively trying to dismantle a U.N. agency that is central to relief operations for Arab refugees.”

The law’s implications extend beyond Gaza, potentially affecting UNRWA’s presence in East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move that remains internationally unrecognized.

Lawmaker Boaz Bismuth, another key figure behind the legislation, argued that UNRWA’s work in East Jerusalem has hindered peace efforts, asserting, “If we seek true stability and peace in the Middle East, organizations like UNRWA are not the answer.”

As the vote approached, the foreign ministers of countries including France, Germany, and the U.K. issued a joint statement voicing “grave concern” over the law’s potential impact. “It is essential that UNRWA and other U.N. agencies maintain the ability to fulfill their mandates, delivering crucial aid to the populations that rely on them most,” the statement read.

Israel now faces significant pressure from the international community to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza, particularly as its military operations continue to affect civilians in the region.

On October 7, 2023, armed militants from Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group widely designated as a terrorist organization, launched a coordinated assault on Israeli communities and military installations in southern Israel.

The attack, marked by brutal tactics, claimed over 1,200 lives, making it the deadliest assault by a Palestinian militant group in Israel’s history. According to Israel’s military, Hamas is also holding 253 hostages in Gaza, heightening tensions as Israel responds.

In retaliation, Israel has committed to dismantling Hamas, describing its mission as an effort to eradicate the group “off the face of the earth.”

The campaign targets Hamas strongholds throughout Gaza, where the group has maintained governance since 2007. Israeli forces estimate that around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with reports suggesting that at least a third of these captives may no longer be alive.

Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, Egypt, the European Union, Israel, and Japan, underscoring the international consensus on its activities.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)