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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a decisive move, Israel’s Knesset passed two bills to restrict the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within its territories, following allegations of UNRWA employees’ involvement in the October 7 attacks against Israel. According to a report on The Jewish Insider web site, the first bill, prohibiting UNRWA’s activities on Israeli land, garnered significant bipartisan support, passing 92-10. The second bill, which bans Israeli officials from interacting with UNRWA, also saw wide approval, passing 87-9.
As reported by The Jewish Insider, U.S. and European officials expressed concern, urging Israel to reconsider. However, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair Yuli Edelstein defended the legislation, stressing that UNRWA has not acknowledged accountability for recent events. Edelstein explained that the UNRWA’s failure to recognize its role led to the necessity of these bills, adding, “The precondition of any reform is acknowledging you need a change,” according to The Jewish Insider.
Critics raised concerns that Palestinian humanitarian support could be impacted, to which Edelstein responded that the law would not take immediate effect, offering a 90-day window to develop alternative support systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment on social media, reiterating Israel’s commitment to humanitarian aid within this timeframe. He pledged to collaborate with international partners to ensure aid delivery without compromising Israeli security, The Jewish Insider noted.
Likud lawmaker Boaz Bismuth, the lead sponsor of the bill, underscored the connection between Hamas and UNRWA, stating, “UNRWA equals Hamas, period,” as The Jewish Insider reported. Bismuth argued that by ignoring this connection, the international community becomes complicit in terrorism.
Yesh Atid MK Ron Katz addressed international scrutiny of the legislation, asserting, “We listened carefully to our international friends. We paid careful attention to international law… Israel is disengaging from the arm of Hamas that calls itself UNRWA.” Katz’s remarks reflect Israel’s stance that UNRWA has facilitated Hamas activities rather than providing neutral humanitarian aid. According to The Jewish Insider, this decision represents Israel’s effort to address UNRWA’s perpetuation of the Palestinian refugee crisis.
The family of Yoni Samerano, killed in the October 7 attack and whose body was subsequently taken to Gaza by an alleged UNRWA social worker, has advocated for this ban. Their lobbying highlights a broader frustration within Israel about UNRWA’s role. UNRWA’s designation of refugee status to descendants of 1948 refugees—a policy The Jewish Insider noted as controversial—has led many Israelis to argue that UNRWA perpetuates rather than alleviates the conflict.
The U.S. Department of State voiced strong concerns over the bill’s potential impact on humanitarian assistance, warning that it could disrupt crucial aid to Palestinian civilians. Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the detrimental effects of eliminating UNRWA’s services, stating that “civilians – including children… will not be able to get access to food and water and medicine that they need to live.” The Jewish Insider reported Miller’s assertion that this loss of aid would be “unacceptable.”
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell also expressed “grave concern” over the legislation, labeling it contradictory to international law. This pressure from Western allies illustrates a growing diplomatic rift over the implications of Israel’s decision. As The Jewish Insider details, the international community views this action as a potential exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, yet Israel remains resolute in its commitment to reducing UNRWA’s harmful influence in the region.
