Israel’s New Laws Banning UNRWA Already Taking Effect
January 29, 2025
Israel’s new laws banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have already begun to take effect, with the organization facing significant challenges in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The laws, which were passed in December 2024, prohibit any organization funded by the Palestinian Authority (PA) from operating in Israel, including UNRWA. The PA is the internationally recognized governing body of the Palestinian people.
UNRWA has been providing food, shelter, education, and healthcare to Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories since 1949, following the creation of Israel. The organization has a staff of over 30,000 people, most of whom are themselves Palestinian refugees.
Since the new laws took effect, Israeli authorities have begun to close down UNRWA offices in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The organization has also been barred from importing goods and supplies into the territories.
As a result, UNRWA has been forced to suspend many of its essential services. Food distribution has been reduced, and some schools and health clinics have been closed. The organization has also been unable to provide financial assistance to vulnerable refugees.
The Israeli government has defended the new laws, claiming that they are necessary to protect Israel from security threats. However, human rights groups have condemned the laws, calling them “collective punishment” against Palestinian refugees.
The United Nations has also criticized the laws, and has called on Israel to reconsider its decision. The UN has warned that the closure of UNRWA could have a “devastating impact” on Palestinian refugees.
The new laws have already had a significant impact on the lives of Palestinian refugees. Many families are struggling to meet their basic needs, and children are being deprived of education and healthcare.
The Israeli government has shown no signs of backtracking on its decision to ban UNRWA. The organization is facing an uncertain future in the occupied territories, and Palestinian refugees are increasingly vulnerable.
Additional Information
- UNRWA provides essential services to over 5 million Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- The organization has a staff of over 30,000 people, most of whom are themselves Palestinian refugees.
- The Israeli government has claimed that the new laws are necessary to protect Israel from security threats.
- Human rights groups have condemned the laws, calling them “collective punishment” against Palestinian refugees.
- The United Nations has also criticized the laws, and has called on Israel to reconsider its decision.
Israel’s new laws banning UNRWA already taking effect
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