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Israel Bans UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees
Context:
Recently, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed two Bills banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and Palestinian territories.
About the Ban :
- These measures not only bar UNRWA from having offices or conducting activities in Israel but also cut all official ties with the agency and remove legal protections for its staff.
- Israel has also officially designated UNRWA as a terrorist organisation, citing alleged ties between some UNRWA employees and militant groups.
UNRWA’s Role and Background:
- Founded in 1949, UNRWA initially provided aid to around 700,000 Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.
- UNRWA was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 “to carry out direct relief and work programmes” for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950.
- Mandate: Today, it offers education, health services, social support, and emergency aid to approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
- Funding: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States. UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.
Reasons for Israel’s Ban:
- Long Standing Criticism of UNRWA’s Role: Israel has long argued that UNRWA’s role perpetuates the Palestinian refugee issue, obstructing a resolution.
- Alleged Ties Between UNRWA Staff and Hamas: Recently, Israel also accused some UNRWA staff of supporting Hamas, citing a dossier naming 12 alleged employees involved in attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. UNRWA has dismissed nine employees but denies systematic links to militant groups.
- Undermining Sovereignty and Integration: Israel views UNRWA’s support for Palestinian refugee status as hindering integration and economic independence for Palestinians, maintaining a separate identity that, in Israel’s perspective, perpetuates the conflict and challenges its sovereignty in controlled areas.
- Concerns Over Curriculum: Israel argues that UNRWA school curricula promote anti-Israel sentiments, alleging that some textbooks lack recognition of Israel or include content that incites hostility. This, Israel claims, fosters resentment among young Palestinians, further complicating peace efforts.
- Accountability and Transparency Issues: Israel and other critics contend that UNRWA lacks rigorous oversight, particularly in staff vetting, which they believe allows individuals with militant affiliations to work within the organisation. Israel argues this lack of transparency endangers regional security and stability.
Potential Impact on Gaza:
- The ban threatens the flow of vital supplies, with nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents depending on UNRWA for food, water, and medical aid. UNRWA manages almost all UN aid distribution, partnering with the Palestinian Red Crescent for essential services.
- Humanitarian crisis: Should the agency’s operations cease in Gaza, it could trigger a humanitarian crisis, deepening Palestinians’ suffering and potentially disrupting services like vaccinations and prenatal care in the West Bank’s refugee camps.
Psychological and Social Impact on the Population: Beyond physical needs, UNRWA’s programs provide social support and psychological services for residents, particularly children affected by conflict.
