Israel’s parliament on Monday banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
Despite protests from the international community and Lebanon, 60 people were killed in the latest Israeli attacks in the east of the country.
Lawmakers passed the bill by 92 votes to 10 after years of fierce Israeli criticism of UNRWA, which has seen the war in Gaza following deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7 last year. It has only increased since its inception.
The ban on the UN agency — which has provided essential aid and assistance to Palestinian refugees in the Palestinian territories and elsewhere for more than seven decades — would, if implemented, undermine humanitarian efforts in Gaza, experts say. There will be a setback for work.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini condemned the decision, saying it set a “dangerous precedent”.
“This is the latest in an ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA… these bills will deepen the suffering of Palestinians,” he wrote on X.
Other governments, including the United States, Britain, and Germany, condemned and criticized the move.
Ahead of the vote, the US said it was “deeply concerned” about the bill, and reiterated the agency’s “vital” role in distributing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Washington warned Israel on October 15 that it had 30 days to increase the amount of aid reaching the Gaza Strip or it would consider cutting off some military aid to its key ally.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was “gravely concerned” because the legislation would “make UNRWA’s essential work impossible for the Palestinians, the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and the health in the West Bank.” and the provision of essential education services will be threatened”.
