A huge international outcry followed the recent decision by Israel’s parliament to ban United Nations Relief and Works Agency from operating within Israel and East Jerusalem. A new law, in force from within three months, has restricted UNRWA in all its transactions with Israel’s officials; revoked all immunity of staff working there, which considerably hampers its operation in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA is one of the major human service providers to Palestinians for health care and education mainly during this time of intense hostilities and growing humanitarian needs.
International leaders and UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined in expressing the view that this law will further deepen a humanitarian crisis and undermine the efforts of peace. Guterres emphasized the crucial role that UNRWA plays in pointing out how the agency was critical in Gaza for nearly 400,000 children and millions of other civilians dependent on relief. The European Union joined its voice to this, including support from the US, UK, and Germany, that this legislation seriously violates the international commitments of Israel under UN agreements and also jeopardizes further instability in the region.
International bodies, such as UNRWA, have also rejected the allegations by Israeli officials like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is a link between Hamas and UNRWA because there is no evidence. This could further heighten tensions as the Knesset draws closer to making a decision, complicating international humanitarian efforts in the Palestinian territories, particularly the volatile regions like northern Gaza, where civilian conditions are deteriorating due to the conflict.
