Israel has officially ended its half-century deal with the United Nations’ Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, that gave the agency immunity from Israeli law inside Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The move follows a new Israeli law that will go into effect banning UNRWA’s activities inside Israel starting at the end of January. However, the Israeli decision to quit the 1967 agreement takes immediate effect.
The U.N. is studying the formal notification made by Israel, but the spokesman for the U.N. Stephane Dujarric says that all activities of UNRWA shall be carried out meanwhile. The decision to end the relationship with UNRWA coincides with a longstanding call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the agency’s de-funding and deconstruction because he feels the body incites hostility toward Israel. But UNRWA is concerned that this legislation threatens its operations in the West Bank and Gaza because it can deliver crucial aid.
United Nations’ Palestinian relief agency stands against Israel’s acts in Gaza
This step has alerted the world, particularly the UN and the United States, to assess the result of this move by Israel. In Gaza, where armed conflict is ongoing, there’s a strong support resistance by UNRWA against the violence. Withdrawal may cripple support in the area. In effect, Gaza has already dropped sharply in aid shipments such that there are fears of famines and worsening humanitarian situations in the area.
UNRWA began back in 1949 for refugees of Palestinians and their aftercoming descendants to help all this near 5.9 million in Gaza West Bank as well as throughout their countries. The legislation isn’t against the ability, but it greatly puts significant constraints on its capacities there.
Israel accused UNRWA of having some officials who may be affiliated with Hamas, which includes alleged participation in the October 2023 Hamas attack that hit Israel. UNRWA has already rejected most of the accusations but is currently investigating those specific indictments. UNRWA communications director Juliette Touma asked the U.N. to solve the issue diplomatically because “it’s a race against time.”
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