HQ Team
October 29, 2024: Israel has passed a law to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) working for Palestine refugees from operating in the country after it earlier accused its employees of participating in the October 7 attacks — a move which came in for criticism from the EU and Western European leaders.
“UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media platform X. Israel alleges that 12 of the UNRWA staff took part in the attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 taken hostage. UNRWA has 30,000 staff members.
“Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future,” another post on X from Israel Prime Minister’s Office stated.
“In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and after – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security.”
‘Violates international law’
Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General posted on his official X account that the vote opposes the UN charter and violates international law.
“The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent,” he stated. This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimise its role towards providing human development assistance and services to Palestine Refugees.
“These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell. These bills increase the suffering of the Palestinians and are nothing less than collective punishment,” Lazzarini stated.
He said putting an end to UNRWA and its services “will not strip the Palestinians of their refugee status.”
“That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a fair and lasting solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians. Failing to push back these bills will weaken our common multilateral mechanism established after World War II. This should be a concern to all.”
Aid cut off
More than 15 UN-member countries, including the US and the nations of the European Union, have cut off aid to the UNRWA.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement on January 28, had said that the organisation is promptly responding to the “extremely serious allegations” that several UNRWA personnel were involved in the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel.
An investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative body in the UN system, was immediately activated, according to the UN statement.
Many Western European leaders have expressed their worries about Monday’s vote by the Israeli Knesset.
‘UN General Assembly mandate’
The European Union has exhorted the Israeli authorities to ensure that UNRWA can continue its essential work in crisis-affected areas in line with its UN General Assembly mandate.
“We urge Israeli authorities to reconsider, to prevent disruptions to UNRWA’s life-saving services and ensure continued and unhindered humanitarian access for UNRWA to the Palestine refugees that it was set up to serve.
“The EU remains committed to supporting UNRWA and its mission while maintaining neutrality, accountability, and oversight in its partnership.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement that the UK was gravely concerned about the UNRWA bills that Israel’s Knesset passed.
“This legislation risks making UNRWA‘s essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardising the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and delivery of essential health and education services in the West Bank.
“Only UNRWA can deliver humanitarian aid at the scale and pace needed…We urge Israeli lawmakers to ensure that UNRWA can continue to deliver its essential work.”
‘Catastrophic humanitarian situation’
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement deplored the adoption of the legislation.
“The implementation of these laws would not only have serious consequences on the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza but also in the entire occupied Palestinian territories.
“Thousands of civilians will be deprived of essential aid in the form of shelter, health, education and food. France reiterates its support of UNRWA and will continue to make sure necessary reforms are made to ensure its neutrality. “
In a statement, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has underlined Israel’s violation of international law, which “profoundly undermines the multilateral system and the United Nations itself.”
“As long as there is no global, just and lasting solution to the conflict and the status of Palestinian refugees, UNRWA’s mandate is vital, as it represents the UN’s responsibility towards the question of Palestine. (…) Achieving a two-state solution (…) is the only way to put an end to the violence and intolerable suffering of civilian populations.”
The Governments of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain also condemned Israle’s ban.
