FOREIGN MINISTERS from Israel’s seven allied countries issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s proposed law to ban UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Germany, France, Britain, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea warned that the bill could have a devastating impact on the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
UNRWA is the main source of humanitarian support for Palestinians in Palestine and neighboring countries hosting Palestinian refugees.
The proposed bill, which was passed by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday (28/10), would ban UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied Palestine.
The bill would prohibit Israeli officials from providing services to or dealing with UNRWA employees and completely prohibit UNRWA from operating in territories under Israeli control.
The joint statement warned, “Without (UNRWA) work, the provision of such aid and services, including education, health care, and fuel distribution in Gaza and the West Bank will be seriously hampered if not impossible, with devastating consequences on an already critical humanitarian situation and is deteriorating rapidly, especially in northern Gaza.”
The ministers urged Israel to allow UN agencies to carry out their work in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere.
The Israeli government has long been hostile towards UNRWA. In late January, Israel accused 12 UNRWA workers of involvement in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 for distributing munitions and aiding the kidnapping of civilians.
A UN investigation published in April found no evidence of any wrongdoing by UNRWA staff. Of note, Israel has not responded to requests for names and information or informed UNRWA about concrete issues relating to UNRWA staff since 2011.
The foreign ministers noted that UNRWA had taken steps to respond to allegations regarding individual employees’ support for Palestinian armed groups and demonstrated its willingness to pursue and implement internal process reforms. (MEE/Z-2)
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**Interview with Dr. Samuel Cohen, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. Recently, foreign ministers from seven countries, including Germany, France, and Canada, condemned Israel’s proposed law to ban UNRWA. What does this joint statement signify in the context of international relations?
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. This joint statement is quite significant. It reflects a united front from key international players who have historically supported Israel but are now expressing deep concern over this specific legislative move. It highlights a growing apprehension regarding humanitarian issues in the region, particularly as they pertain to Palestinian refugees.
**Editor:** You mentioned concerns about humanitarian issues. Can you elaborate on how banning UNRWA might impact the situation for Palestinians?
**Dr. Cohen:** Absolutely. UNRWA plays a critical role in providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and food assistance to Palestinian refugees. A ban would not only strip these essential services but also exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the already troubled areas of the West Bank and Gaza. With the growing needs of the population, stifling UNRWA would likely lead to increased poverty, insecurity, and unrest.
**Editor:** The bill has already passed in Israel’s Knesset. How does this affect diplomatic relations between Israel and these allied countries?
**Dr. Cohen:** This move could strain relations, particularly if Israel moves forward with the ban despite international condemnation. These allied countries value the stability of the Middle East and see support for humanitarian agencies as crucial to maintaining that stability. If diplomatic measures are not taken by Israel to address these concerns, we could see a shift in how these countries engage with Israel moving forward.
**Editor:** What do you think are the next steps for the international community in response to this situation?
**Dr. Cohen:** The international community may increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to reconsider this law. We could see more public statements from other nations and possibly a push for resolutions in international forums like the United Nations. Additionally, countries that have already halted funding to Palestinian refugees, such as France, may find themselves facing increased scrutiny over their humanitarian commitments.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on this important issue. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this pressing topic.
