The Israeli Knesset has approved two bills that will effectively ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and, by extension, in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. These moves come amid ongoing international condemnation and calls for humanitarian access in the region.
UNRWA, established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and social services to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Nearly six million Palestinians rely on its support, with services that include healthcare, mental health assistance, vocational training, and primary education for hundreds of thousands of children.
The first bill, passed on Monday, prohibits any contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA. The second bill bars the agency from conducting any activities within Israel’s borders, a restriction set to take effect in three months. This will effectively deny UNRWA entrance permits to operate within the West Bank and Gaza, where Israel controls all crossings, making it nearly impossible for the agency to transport supplies and aid through Israeli territory.
Israel’s latest restrictions on UNRWA follow recent allegations against UN agency staff, accused by Israeli authorities of involvement in attacks on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel. While a UN investigation led to the termination of nine UNRWA staff members, many countries—including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United States—had temporarily suspended funding to the agency in response to the accusations. Most donors have since restored their contributions.
UNRWA remains the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza and the West Bank, providing essential services to refugees in the region. In 2021, the agency supported nearly 545,000 students across its schools, provided emergency and year-round humanitarian assistance to over 1.7 million individuals, and offered healthcare at its 144 clinics, which see approximately 8.5 million patient visits annually.
The new Israeli laws are expected to have significant consequences for Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA for healthcare, employment, social services, and education. International organizations have voiced concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging Israel to allow aid delivery and continue dialogue with relief agencies to mitigate the impact on Palestinian civilians.