Israel parliament approves law banning ‘terrorist group’ UNRWA

During the opening of the winter session, the Knesset plenum approved in its final reading, a law banning the activity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) inside Israel.

The Knesset confirmed in a statement issued late yesterday evening that “the bill submitted by MK Boaz Bismuth, which sets a precedent for stopping UNRWA’s activities in the State of Israel, has now passed the second and third readings in the Knesset plenum, and has entered the book of the State of Israel’s law.”

Ninety-two MKs supported the bill, while only ten opposed it.

The law aims to “prevent any UNRWA activity in the territory of the State of Israel,” and stipulates that “UNRWA will not operate any representative office, will not provide any service, and will not carry out any activity, directly or indirectly, in the territory of the State of Israel, the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.”

Israeli lawmakers also voted to declare UNRWA a terror group, effectively banning any direct interaction between the UN agency and the Israeli state.

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Taken together, the legislation – which comes into effect in 90 days – is expected to lead to the closure of UNRWA’s East Jerusalem headquarters and would effectively block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

In a statement following the passing of the law, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said: “The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.”

“These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell. It ⁠will deprive over 650,000 girls and boys there from education, putting at risk an entire generation of children.”

The Adalah Centre for Human Rights had warned in a letter to the Israeli authorities that the bills to close UNRWA violate international law and conventions. The centre stressed that approving these laws would undermine the basic humanitarian services provided to Palestinian refugees.

Israel has long lobbied to have UNRWA closed as it is the only UN agency to have a specific mandate to look after the basic needs of Palestinian refugees. If the agency no longer exists, argues Israel, then the refugee issue must no longer exist, and the legitimate right for Palestinian refugees to return to their land will be unnecessary. Israel has denied that right of return since the late 1940s, even though its own membership of the UN was made conditional upon Palestinian refugees being allowed to return to their homes and land.

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