- November 4, 2024
- 1:43 pm
- Israel
Israel has officially announced the termination of all relations with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The decision was supported by a law that was passed with rare unanimity by the Israeli Knesset on November 1 (92 votes in favor, 10 against). The move means that in three months UNRWA will lose the legal basis for its activities in Israel that it had since 1967 after the Six-Day War.
On the evening of November 3, 2024, Foreign Minister Israel Katz notified the UN about this.
Why did Israel stop cooperating with UNRWA?
Israel accused the agency of collaborating with Hamas and supporting terrorism. According to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, UNRWA has become part of the problem, not the solution, and is involved in activities that are contrary to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region.
“UNRWA has become one of Hamas' tools, providing its facilities for terrorist operations and employing operatives involved in terrorist attacks against Israel,” Katz said in a statement.
Key allegations against UNRWA
Israel has made serious allegations against the agency, including:
- Connections with Hamas. Israel has submitted to the UN a list of 100 UNRWA employees who, according to it, are Hamas militants or associated with terrorist activities. These personnel, Israel claims, took part in the October 7 attack on Israel.
- Use of agency facilities for terrorist operations. Israel reported that many UNRWA sites in Gaza were used by Hamas militants to store weapons and plan attacks.
- Ignoring UN recommendations. In its statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry also reproached UNRWA for ignoring the recommendations of a UN commission led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna calling for the agency to take stricter measures regarding ties with Hamas.
- Refusal to fire employees involved in terrorism. UNRWA, according to Israel, has not taken any steps to suspend employees involved in terrorist activities, which undermines the agency's neutrality and international trust.
Harsh statements from the Israeli Foreign Ministry
Israel Katz stressed in a statement that the agency is “part of the problem, not part of the solution,” and added:
“UNRWA has no alternative – it’s a myth. Today, the bulk of humanitarian aid in Gaza comes through other international organizations, with only 13% going through UNRWA. The State of Israel intends to cooperate with those who are not associated with terrorism.”
Alternatives for humanitarian assistance
The decision to terminate UNRWA will take effect in three months, during which time Israeli authorities intend to expand cooperation with other international organizations to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian residents of Gaza. In its statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that the country's government remains committed to international law and providing humanitarian assistance in the region, but will only cooperate with organizations that, in its opinion, do not have ties to terrorist groups.
How will this affect the Palestinian population?
Israel's decision could have a significant impact on the humanitarian aid system, given that UNRWA has long been the main provider of services to Palestinians in Gaza. Now, many Western and Arab countries that support UNRWA funding may be forced to re-evaluate their relationship with the agency, especially in the context of accusations of supporting terrorism.
In conclusion, Katz noted that Israel will continue to follow international obligations aimed at helping Palestinian civilians, but taking into account its security and avoidance of ties with organizations that, in its opinion, support terrorism.
So what next?
However, there are other views on this decision, highlighting its potential negative consequences for the civilian population of Gaza. In particular, Israeli critics point to the lack of an adequate alternative to UNRWA, which could lead to an even greater humanitarian crisis in the region.
Critics of the decision emphasize that UNRWA has remained a critical mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians for decades. In a situation where cooperation with the agency is officially terminated, the question remains open: who will perform its functions? Israeli authorities say they are willing to expand cooperation with other international organizations to avoid disruption of supplies to Gaza, but this will pose significant difficulties in practice. Currently, only 13% of humanitarian aid to Gaza flows through UNRWA, and Israel hopes to redistribute this volume to other partners.
Alternatives and doubts
Some Israeli experts question the effectiveness and thoughtfulness of the decision. They point to the populist nature of the law and the fact that it does not take into account the possible consequences for the population of the Gaza Strip. Leading experts argue that the Israeli government is not currently paying enough attention to the issues of long-term settlement and the post-war structure of Gaza, concentrating only on the current hostilities.
As one analyst notes, “UNRWA is no longer a cake, and its role as a peace mediator is questionable. But instead of offering a real alternative, the government is simply turning a blind eye to the problem.”