The Latest on UNRWA and Israel: A Comedy of Errors?
October 29, 2024 — Breaking news from the witty world of geopolitics! Israel has decided to ban the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known affectionately as UNRWA. Oh, grab your popcorn! This law, passed with a landslide majority, is making waves upon waves – we’re nearly on our fourth wave of international outcry. Who would have thought politics would turn into a soap opera?
The Israeli Parliament voted 92-10 to prohibit all UNRWA activities on its territory, including East Jerusalem, a place so controversial that even the local pigeons argue about whether or not to perch there. But don’t worry, the UN and the US are “obviously not thrilled” about this bold move. One could say Israel is giving a masterclass in “how to give the finger to world opinion”!
What is UNRWA and Why Should You Care?
For those of you who haven’t been paying attention during the last 75 years of Middle Eastern history like it’s the most boring lecture ever, let me reel you in. UNRWA was set up by the UN in 1949 to help Palestinian refugees. Think of it as a vast welfare program that runs more than 700 schools and 141 health centers across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Basically, if there’s a humanitarian crisis, they’re involved, like the ever-persistent friend who just won’t leave the party.
Speaking of humanitarian crises, Gaza is currently in the middle of a catastrophic tomato-squashing, population-juggling disaster, and this ban could throw a considerable wrench in the already complex humanitarian machine. One has to wonder: Is there a UN resolution against drama in an area that seems to thrive on it?
Why Is Israel Pulling the Plug?
Now, why is Israel giving UNRWA the boot? Well, they’re claiming it’s a hotbed for Hamas activity, saying those rascally UN employees are playing both sides. However, an independent investigation politely reminded them that these accusations were as flimsy as a poorly made table at IKEA. Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t known for playing nice – but isn’t it fascinating how a democracy becomes a “no talk” zone when it suits their agenda?
Consequences for Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
Let’s cut to the chase: if UNRWA leaves, the consequences for the people of Gaza could be catastrophic. And when I say catastrophic, I mean it could make even the harshest disaster movie look like a romantic comedy. As Elena Aoun from UCLouvain spells out, “Israel can simply paralyze any action by UNRWA,” which is like having a choke-hold on humanitarian aid while performing a jigsaw puzzle blindfolded.
You see, having absolute control means deciding who gets in, who gets out, and what supplies are permitted. Nurses might have to start moonlighting as circus performers to sneak in medicine! Meanwhile, every Palestinian will be more reliant than ever on whatever scraps can be scavenged from the charred remains of former aid shipments.
The Future of Aid Distribution: A Game of Musical Chairs
The future of aid could potentially be redirected to other ‘trustworthy’ sources, perhaps even the Israeli army itself. Just imagine the irony: the very army accused of destroying their homes might be handing out the much-needed food parcels. “Here’s your dinner, would you like some artillery with that?” It’s a real sitcom waiting to happen!
As Israel thumbs its nose at the UN, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, pushing the needle towards a potential explosion, literally and figuratively. The main worry for many is whether UNRWA will turn into a mere observer in this chaotic drama, waving like tourists at a parade of horrors.
Conclusion: The Punchline Yet to Be Delivered
One thing is clear: banning UNRWA is a serious issue with potential long-term ramifications for the Palestinian population. Israel is making a rather bold statement about how it wants to handle international relations—the kind of handling that might just lead to an even bigger punchline down the line. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, we’re left wondering what will materialize next in this tangled web of political comedy.
So here we are, waiting with bated breath for the next episode in this tragicomedy of errors. Will the audience boo or cheer? Well, that largely depends on which side of the geopolitical stage you’re watching from!
October 29, 2024 Today at 11:38
Updated October 29, 2024 2:52 p.m.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has been banned in Israel. A decision that will have serious consequences for Gaza, in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe.
The announcement caused an international outcry: the Israeli Parliament voted on Monday, by an overwhelming majority, in favor of a bill banning activities in Israel of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). And this, despite the objections of the United States and the UN.
What is Unrwa?
Created by the UN General Assembly in 1949, UNRWA has been providing essential aid and assistance to Palestinian refugeeswhether in Gazabesieged and devastated by more than a year of Israeli offensive, in the West Bank occupied, in Lebanon, Syria or Jordan.
In particular, it manages 141 health centers and more than 700 schoolsand provides shelter, food and basic care.
It is also a major employer of the population which it is responsible for, with more than 30,000 employees, mainly Palestinian refugees and some international members.
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“This decision is not sudden, Israel has been criticizing bodies directly or indirectly linked to the UN for several years.”
Didier Leroy
Researcher at the Center for Security and Defense Studies (CESD)
Why does Israel ban Unrwa?
But in the eyes of the Israeli authorities, UNRWA is a biased, anti-Israeli agency infiltrated by members of Hamas. Israel has thus accused agency employees of having participated in the massacre perpetrated on its soil by the Palestinian Islamist movement on October 7, 2023, which triggered particularly deadly Israeli reprisals. An independent investigation has since debunked these accusations.
The text (approved Monday by 92 votes to ten) prohibits “UNRWA activities on Israeli territory”, including in East Jerusalem, an area annexed by Israel. A second bans Israeli officials from working with UNRWA and its employees. Two laws which will take effect 90 days after their adoption, according to the Israeli Parliament, and which will have a impact on more than a third of the Palestinian population.
“This decision is not sudden, Israel has been criticizing bodies directly or indirectly linked to the UN for several years. It is a anti-UN atmosphere which characterizes recent governments in Israel”, explains Didier Leroy, researcher at the Center for Security and Defense Studies (CESD).
“Israel, through absolute control of what enters – and who enters – the Gaza Strip, can paralyze any action by UNRWA.”
Elena Aoun
Professor of international relations at UCLouvain
What are the consequences for humanitarian aid in Gaza?
But if Israel operates gradually, “it is crossing an important threshold here, which does not bode well for the future. On the Palestinian side, everything will get even more complicated“, he continues. And particularly in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army controls all entries of humanitarian aid shipments, already making access to basic needs very difficult for Gazans.
“It is one more step in this exclusion and this denial of the most basic rights. Concretely, this can translate into stopping all circulation of moneypar the denial of any access to UNRWA workersor by the fact ofintercept medical and food aid“, explains Elena Aoun, professor of international relations at UCLouvain. “Israel, through absolute control of what enters – and those who enter – the Gaza Strip, can paralyze any action by UNRWA.”
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“We can expect that UNRWA only has a residual role in distributing this aid, until there is, probably, in the long term,xpulsion of its employees“, says Didier Leroy. The aid distribution function could then be redirected towards other actors: “families of notables considered to be approachable from the perspective of Israel, or even the Israeli army itself , or even an international force, essentially Arab.
By banning UNRWA, Israel could, moreover, allow oneself (all the more) to bomb the institutions attached to itlike schools or distribution centers, estimates Elena Aoun. “That’s already what we’re seeing, but it would be power 10, or 100, if that’s even possible,” she sums up.