Israeli parliament bans UNRWA, claims UN aid agency has 'deep connection' with Hamas
UNRWA
Israel's parliament on Monday (Oct 28) passed a bill effectively banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within the country's borders and in occupied East Jerusalem, sparking widespread international backlash.
The move marks a major disruption for the agency, which has provided healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees for over seven decades.
It comes as Israeli lawmakers claim that the UN agency has a "deep connection" with the militant group Hamas.
Yuli Edelstein, one of the bill's sponsors, argued, "There is a deep connection between the terrorist organisation (Hamas) and UNRWA and Israel cannot put up with it."
Hamas reacts to the ban
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Slamming the ban, Palestinian militant group Hamas called the bill an act of "Zionist aggression" towards Palestinians. whileHamas ally Islamic Jihad said the ban was "an escalation in the genocide".
UNRWA chief, Philippe Lazzarini, calling it a continuation of "a campaign to discredit the agency," warned it "will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians".
Israel's international allies also voiced their concern. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK is "gravely concerned," while Germany cautioned that the measure would "effectively make UNRWA's work in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem impossible… jeopardising vital humanitarian aid for millions of people".
However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media assured that his country was "ready" to continue humanitarian aid in ways "that does not threaten Israel's security".
"UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future," he wrote.
"In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect—and after—we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security,"Netanyahu added.
(With inputs from agencies)
