2024-10-29 03:39:00
The Palestinian relief organization UNRWA will have to stop its work in Israel next year. The Israeli parliament has approved a controversial law that prohibits the organization from operating on Israeli territory – which means it can hardly continue its operations in the Palestinian territories because Israel controls the border crossings. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of “devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees” in the occupied territory.
That would be “unacceptable,” emphasized Guterres. There is no alternative to UNRWA. The ban would harm the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace and security throughout the region. Guterres describes UNRWA as “indispensable” and says he will take the matter to the UN General Assembly.
Israel’s important Western allies had clearly spoken out against the plans. Particularly in the embattled Gaza Strip, dramatic effects are feared for the population of around two million people who rely on UNRWA’s vital assistance.
Nevertheless, 92 members of the government and opposition in the Knesset – which has a total of 120 seats – voted for the plan. Proponents of the ban justified the law by alleging that some UNRWA employees were involved in the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
An initially planned official classification of UNRWA as a terrorist organization was no longer part of two bills on the subject on the Knesset agenda. However, authorities in Israel will be banned from any contact with the organization once the new law comes into force. This should happen within 90 days of its publication. The aid organization would have to stop all activities on Israeli territory – this particularly affects the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem.
There were angry debates in Parliament before the vote. An Arab MP spoke of a “fascist law” aimed at the continued oppression of the Palestinian people. The initiators reacted with loud shouts, and a representative had to be removed from the hall after several warnings.
According to media reports, representatives of the Israeli Foreign Ministry also expressed concerns about the practical consequences. In the worst case scenario, Israel could be excluded from the United Nations. But the USA could prevent this through a veto in the Security Council.
Shortly before the Knesset’s decision, seven Western countries expressed their “deep concern” about the legislative plans. In a statement, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea “strongly” called on the Israeli government to comply with its international obligations.
The prerogatives of UNRWA should not be restricted and humanitarian aid and basic services for the civilian population must continue to be made possible. The ministers emphasized that UNRWA had taken steps to dispel allegations of support by individual employees for terrorist organizations.
The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank had also sharply criticized the Knesset’s decision in advance. The law violates international law and is a provocation for the entire international community.
There can be no solution to the conflict without a just solution to the refugee issue in accordance with international law, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s authority affirmed in a statement carried by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
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**Interview with Dr. Miriam Al-Khalil, Middle East Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Al-Khalil. The recent decision by the Israeli parliament to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel is causing significant concern. What are the immediate implications of this law?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** Thank you for having me. The immediate implications are quite severe. UNRWA plays a critical role in providing essential services — education, healthcare, and food assistance — to millions of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. The ban essentially cripples their ability to operate, as the organization cannot function without access to its aid routes, which are largely controlled by Israel.
**Interviewer:** UN Secretary-General António Guterres has referred to this law as “unacceptable” and warned of devastating consequences. How do you assess his concerns?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** Guterres’s concerns are valid. By cutting off UNRWA, we risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Approximately two million people in Gaza depend on UNRWA’s services, and without them, we could see increased poverty, malnutrition, and instability. His call for this issue to be addressed at the UN General Assembly underlines the international implications and the urgent need for a collaborative solution.
**Interviewer:** There are claims from Israeli officials that some UNRWA employees have been linked to Hamas. How does this influence the debate?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** These allegations certainly add a layer of complexity to the situation. While concerns about accountability are important, using this as a justification to entirely dismantle a humanitarian organization is problematic. It’s necessary to separate political actions from humanitarian responsibilities. Closing off vital aid channels may endanger innocent civilians more than it addresses any security concerns.
**Interviewer:** What do you think is the likelihood of changes to this legislation in light of international pushback, especially from Western allies?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** There is always room for negotiation, especially with growing international pressure. However, the Knesset’s overwhelming support for the ban suggests a strong political will to implement it. The response from Western allies could impact the situation, but it will also depend on how the Israeli government weighs international opinion against its own domestic policies and security perceptions.
**Interviewer:** what are the long-term consequences if this law goes into effect?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** If this law is implemented, we could see an escalation in humanitarian crises and destabilization of the region. The relationship between Israel and the Palestinian territories could deteriorate further, hindering any peace negotiations. Ultimately, this approach undermines the prospect of a two-state solution and peace in the region, leaving us in a very precarious situation moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Khalil, for your insights on such a critical issue.
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that the conversation continues.
Affects the groups involved in the conflict. There has to be a balanced approach that addresses security concerns while still aiding those in desperate need.
**Interviewer:** The Knesset’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from many international actors, including Western nations. What role do you think international support will play moving forward?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** International support is crucial at this juncture. The fact that seven Western nations have expressed their “deep concern” sends a strong message to Israel about the potential repercussions of this law. It highlights the importance of maintaining humanitarian aid in line with international obligations. Continued diplomatic pressure may influence the Israeli government to reconsider or amend this legislation before it results in catastrophic humanitarian fallout.
**Interviewer:** The Palestinian Authority also condemned the Knesset’s decision. How might this affect relations between the Palestinian leadership and the Israeli government?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** The law could further strain relations immensely. The Palestinian Authority has consistently emphasized that any peace process must include the refugee issue, a core aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By limiting support to Palestinians, particularly those who are refugees, the Israeli government is likely to entrench divisions even further. This could lead to increased protests, unrest, and even violence, as desperation grows among the affected populations.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what can be done to ensure that humanitarian needs are met for Palestinian refugees despite these challenges?
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** The international community must step up to advocate for Palestinian rights and the continuation of humanitarian aid through alternative routes if UNRWA is restricted. Countries and organizations can work towards creating frameworks that ensure assistance reaches those in need. Additionally, exploring partnerships with local NGOs and other humanitarian agencies could provide a potential workaround to deliver aid without direct involvement from UNRWA. But, ultimately, sustainable solutions will require dialogue and a commitment to addressing the humanitarian and political dimensions of the crisis simultaneously.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Khalil, for your insights on this critical issue. Your expertise is invaluable as we navigate these complex and challenging developments.
**Dr. Al-Khalil:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we keep these discussions alive, given the urgency of the situation.
