Members of the United Nations Security Council have issued a stern warning to Israel regarding its proposed legislation to restrict the operations of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA. The warning comes as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Israel has had a long-standing dispute with the agency, alleging that some of its personnel were involved in the 7 October Hamas attacks that led to the current conflict in Gaza.
The Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, recently approved two bills aimed at significantly curtailing UNRWA’s activities and its legal standing within Israel. The swift passage of these bills was met with immediate condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Speaking on behalf of the United States, UN envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed deep concern over the Israeli legislative proposal, warning that it could undermine UNRWA’s legal status and impede its interactions with Israeli authorities. She also highlighted the risk of stripping away the protections typically afforded to UN entities worldwide.
Algeria, which along with Slovenia called the emergency Security Council meeting to address the crisis in the Palestinian territories, criticised Israel’s consistent efforts to dismantle UNRWA.
UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, also raised alarm about the situation, warning that top Israeli officials have openly targeted the agency as part of their war strategy. “Legislation to terminate our operations is now poised for final approval by the Israeli Knesset,” Lazzarini said, noting that 226 UNRWA staff members have been killed in the past year. Lazzarini cautioned that if the bills were enacted, the repercussions could be severe, potentially dismantling Gaza’s humanitarian response, which heavily relies on UNRWA’s infrastructure.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced his concerns, stating that he had formally written to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that the new laws could jeopardise UNRWA’s crucial work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, reiterated strong support for UNRWA, describing it as the most significant success story in the history of the United Nations. Mansour urged the international community to safeguard the agency’s mission and its workers at all costs.
UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide support to Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East. Its operations span across several countries, providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and emergency aid.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, voiced stark criticism of UNRWA’s operations, alleging that the agency has allowed Hamas militants to infiltrate its ranks.
An internal investigation by UNRWA in August revealed that nine of its employees may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October on Israel, adding further controversy to the agency’s already fraught relations with the Israeli government.
As the debate continues, UN Security Council members have stressed the need for Israel to respect UNRWA’s mandate and protect its staff from any attempts to undermine its essential humanitarian work.