The chances of UNRWA’s humanitarian operations in Gaza failing are “extremely, extremely high,” according to a spokesperson, following Israel’s vote to prohibit the agency’s activities in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
In an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, stated that the agency “lacked the appropriate language” to fully describe this action, labeling it “beyond alarming and exceedingly disappointing.”
Ms. Touma mentioned that the agency has no details regarding how or whether this bill will be enacted.
The Israeli parliament passed the bill yesterday with a vote tally of 92 in favor and 10 against, amid years of intense Israeli criticism of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, which has escalated since the war in Gaza began after Hamas’s deadly attacks on October 7, 2022.
She noted that at one time the agency was providing shelter for over a million individuals in Gaza and has been the largest food and healthcare provider.
“We have the infrastructure… it is extremely challenging to replace UNRWA,” she remarked, urging Israel to concentrate on achieving a ceasefire and pursuing peace instead of targeting UNRWA.
During the same broadcast, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin expressed his “unreserved” condemnation of Israel’s action, stating, “it will be impossible for UNRWA to conduct its life-saving work unless there is a change in this situation.”
Micheál Martin declared the ban as an affront to Palestinians
He articulated that it signifies the “further collective punishment of an entire population” already facing an intense humanitarian crisis.
“This is an onslaught on Palestinians. The situation in northern Gaza, in particular, is deeply shocking.”
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the implementation of this law “could have catastrophic effects for Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is unacceptable.”
“There is no substitute for UNRWA,” he stated.
“Enacting these laws would be harmful to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and would jeopardize peace and security in the region at large.
“As I have mentioned before, UNRWA is vital.”
Mr. Guterres announced that he would bring this issue before the 193-member UN General Assembly.
Antonio Guterres asserted that there is ‘no substitute’ for UNRWA
Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasized that all United Nations member states should denounce this decision.
Mr. Harris indicated that if the bill is enacted, “it will make it impossible for UNRWA to fulfill its essential role across the region, including providing humanitarian assistance to individuals in urgent need.”
Tonight’s vote in Israel to ban UNRWA is catastrophic and disgraceful. It will be recorded in history as the moment Israel voted to sever an irreplaceable humanitarian lifeline to a humanitarian crisis zone.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 28, 2024
He claimed that the legislation “violates Israel’s responsibilities under international law.”
For more than seven decades, the UN agency has supplied crucial aid and services across Palestinian territories and to Palestinian refugees elsewhere.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned the legislation, stating that it sets “a dangerous precedent.”
“This represents the latest effort in an ongoing campaign to undermine UNRWA… These laws will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians,” he expressed on social media.
The decision also sparked condemnation and criticism from the governments of the United States, Britain, Germany, and others.
Ahead of the vote, the US expressed “deep concern” over the bill, reiterating the “critical” role the agency plays in delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Washington warned Israel on October 15 that it had 30 days to enhance aid deliveries to Gaza; otherwise, it would consider withholding a portion of military assistance to its key partner.
Residents return to their homes post-withdrawal of Israeli forces from Beit Lahia, Gaza
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain was “gravely concerned” about the legislation, which would render “UNRWA’s essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardizing the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and the provision of vital health and education services in the West Bank.”
In January, Israel accused twelve UNRWA employees in Gaza of being involved in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which ignited the deadliest conflict in the region.
A series of investigations identified some “neutrality-related issues” at UNRWA, concluding that nine employees “may have been involved” in the October 7 attack but found no substantiating evidence for Israel’s primary allegations.
“There is a profound connection between the terrorist organization (Hamas) and UNRWA, and Israel cannot tolerate this,” asserted Yuli Edelstein, a politician from Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party and a sponsor of the bill, while addressing parliament.
“There is no place for adversaries in the heart of the capital of the Jewish people.”
Israel claims all of Jerusalem, including the annexed east, as its indivisible capital.
Almost all of Gaza’s 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the conflict
Mr. Netanyahu stated, “UNRWA personnel engaged in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” while emphasizing that “sustained humanitarian aid must continue to be accessible in Gaza.”
“We are prepared to collaborate with our international partners to ensure that Israel continues facilitating humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a manner that does not compromise Israel’s security,” he mentioned on social media.
The Islamist group Hamas reacted angrily to the ban.
“We view this as a part of the Zionist war and aggression against our people,” Hamas declared in a statement.
The Palestinian presidency denounced the move, stating it confirms “Israel’s shift into a fascist state.”
The German government “strongly” criticized the bill, while the governments of Norway, Spain, and Slovenia— all of which have recognized a Palestinian state—issued a joint statement denouncing the decision.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked that UNRWA represents “an irreplaceable lifeline for the Palestinian people,” warning of the “devastating implications” of implementing the bill.
“This is unacceptable. It contradicts Israel’s obligations and responsibilities, threatening the lives and health of all who rely on UNRWA,” he stated on social media.
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The ban, scheduled to take effect in 90 days, would fundamentally hinder UNRWA’s operations in Israel and specifically target its activities in East Jerusalem, where it currently offers essential services such as cleaning, education, and healthcare in select neighborhoods.
Concerns also exist that UNRWA employees in the West Bank might encounter difficulties moving between locations and gaining access to East Jerusalem or Israel, as they would lose their ability to coordinate with Israeli authorities to cross checkpoints.
Similar concerns apply to visas and permits issued by Israeli authorities.
UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations have accused Israeli authorities of restricting aid supplies into Gaza, where nearly all of the territory’s 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once during the ongoing conflict.
The agency itself has suffered significant losses, with at least 223 of its staff killed and two-thirds of the agency’s facilities in Gaza damaged or destroyed since the onset of the war.
Established in 1949, UNRWA was created to assist Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.
