GAZA, (PIC)
As part of the all-out war waged by Israel against the Palestinian people, the Israeli Knesset approved a couple of days ago, in both its second and third readings, a law banning the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This move comes despite international warnings against such a step, which violates international laws and treaties.
The bill passed with the support of 92 members, while only 10 opposed it. The law stipulates that “UNRWA will not be allowed to operate any representative offices, provide any services, or conduct any activities, whether directly or indirectly, within Israel.”
A statement from the Knesset announced that “the bill, introduced by Knesset member Boaz Bismuth, marks a precedent in halting UNRWA’s activities in Israel, having now passed its second and third readings in the Knesset plenary session, and has been entered into Israel’s law book.”
Under this law, the 1967 agreement that allowed UNRWA to operate in the occupied Palestinian territories will be nullified, effectively ending its activities. Additionally, any contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA staff will be prohibited.
UN rejection
The criminal Israeli legislation faced widespread rejection from the international community. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that implementing a law banning UNRWA’s work could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories, calling it “unacceptable.”
Guterres added in a press statement, “There is no substitute for UNRWA. Enforcing these laws will harm efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and will negatively affect peace and security across the entire region.”
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that the Knesset’s approval of a law banning UNRWA’s activities represents a dangerous precedent and violates the UN Charter and Israel’s obligations under international law.
In a post on the platform “X” (formerly known as Twitter), Lazzarini noted that the legislation is the latest in an ongoing campaign to discredit and delegitimize UNRWA’s role in providing humanitarian and developmental aid to Palestinian refugees.
He stressed that such laws would only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, describing the situation as “nothing less than collective punishment.”
Lazzarini further emphasized that “the cessation of UNRWA’s activities and services will not strip Palestinians of their status as refugees,” pointing out that this status is protected under another UN General Assembly resolution.
UNRWA’s media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna, warned that banning the agency’s work poses a serious threat to humanitarian activities in the region and would have far-reaching political consequences.
In press statements, Abu Hasna described UNRWA as the lifeline for the people of Gaza, explaining that banning its activities would effectively lead to the collapse of humanitarian relief efforts there.
He noted that targeting UNRWA has become part of Israel’s war objectives, threatening the stability of humanitarian conditions and obstructing international efforts to support civilians in Gaza.
Since the beginning of Israel’s extermination campaign against Gaza, Israel has targeted UNRWA institutions, bombing hundreds of them and killing hundreds of employees of the international organization. Israel has not stopped inciting against UNRWA for various reasons.
Widespread Palestinian rejection
The Israeli decision was met with widespread official and factional rejection from Palestinians. Palestinian Presidency spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the Israeli legislation violates international law and challenges UN resolutions that represent international legitimacy.
Abu Rudeineh, in a statement published by the official Palestinian news agency, stressed that this law aims to liquidate the refugee issue and their right to return and compensation, emphasizing that the decision “is not only against the refugees but also against the UN and the world, which had established UNRWA.”
The Hamas Movement viewed the legislation as part of Israel’s war and aggression against the Palestinian people, aiming to eradicate their national cause and the right of refugees to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced by Zionist gangs.
Hamas called on the international community and the UN to take firm stances against the rogue Israeli entity, which defies international will and UN bodies, urging them to support UNRWA to ensure its continued operation in providing relief to the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The Islamic Jihad Movement described the legislation as “further evidence of the extermination war and criminal policies pursued by the occupying entity against the Palestinian people wherever they exist.”
Islamic Jihad also considers the law “an open insult to the UN, its institutions, and its resolutions, as well as a challenge to so-called international legitimacy and a violation of all international decisions.”
Fatah Movement stated that “the occupation system’s illegal measures and decisions represent a blatant challenge to the UN, international law, and international legitimacy.”
Fatah further argued that the Knesset decision disregards all international resolutions and agreements, aiming to liquidate the historical rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right of return and compensation for Palestinian refugees.
The Movement urged the international community to take decisive action against the occupation system’s decisions and to revoke Israel’s membership in international organizations, given its status as a state that flagrantly violates international law and the resolutions and agreements derived from it.
Arab and international rejection
Jordan’s rejection of the Israeli decision was unequivocal. The spokesperson for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sufian Qudah, stated that the approval of this law is part of a systematic campaign targeting UNRWA and “an extension of Israel’s frantic efforts to politically assassinate the agency, further intensifying its aggressive war against the Palestinian people.”
Qudah affirmed that these Israeli actions and practices are “illegitimate and void” and that Israel’s attempts to target UNRWA and its symbolism, which affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return and compensation under international law, are doomed to fail.
He called on the international community to act swiftly and urgently to counter Israel’s aggressive practices against Palestinians and to impose deterrent measures to ensure the protection of the Palestinian people and UN organizations and humanitarian entities.
Condemnation of the law extended beyond the UN, Palestinians, and Arabs. Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia jointly condemned the Knesset’s approval of the legislation.
In a joint statement, the four European nations described the law as a “highly dangerous precedent for the UN and all multilateral organizations,” emphasizing that “UNRWA operates under a mandate from the UN General Assembly.”
They stressed that UNRWA’s work is indispensable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, especially in the current context of Gaza.
The four countries affirmed that they will continue working with donor and host countries to ensure the continuity of UNRWA’s operations and humanitarian role.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his country’s deep concern over two laws passed by the Knesset, banning UNRWA’s work.
Starmer warned that the laws obstruct crucial efforts by UNRWA to support Palestinians and threaten to undermine the humanitarian response in Gaza, as well as impede the delivery of essential health and educational services in the West Bank.
He stressed the need for the Israeli occupation to fulfill its international obligations to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza, describing the humanitarian situation there as “unacceptable.” He called for an immediate ceasefire and a significant increase in aid to Gaza.
Despite this widespread international rejection of the new criminal Israeli law, the occupation state remains determined to disregard all international treaties. It is confident of unlimited political and military support from the West in its ongoing extermination war against the Palestinian people, wherever they are located. Israel views these stances as mere words on paper, quickly forgotten, while what it enacts on the ground remains a reality that can only be resisted and curbed by the steadfast and resilient Palestinians who are determined to reclaim their stolen land and rights.
