The Israeli parliament voted on Monday to ban the activities of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, the main humanitarian aid agency operating in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on the legislation, repeating allegations that UNRWA employees are involved in terrorist activities in the region. An investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight concluded in August, debunking some allegations and noting that others lacked sufficient evidence.
However, the agency noted that nine employees may have been involved in the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel if the evidence was “authenticated and corroborated.” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said these contracts will be terminated.
Netanyahu’s office said Monday that UNRWA staff “must be held accountable.”
“In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and beyond – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure that Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza in a manner that ensures the security of does not threaten Israel,” the statement said. said.
Lazzarini denounced the vote in the Israeli parliament, writing in a post on X that it violated the UN Charter and “set a dangerous precedent.” He accused the legislation of creating collective punishment and endangering an entire generation of children.
“This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role in providing assistance and human development services to Palestinian refugees,” Lazzarini wrote.
Netanyahu and many of his allies in the Israeli government have long been engaged in a feud against UNRWA, but tensions have only increased since last year.
UNRWA is a UN aid agency founded in 1949 to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Some Israeli critics have said the organization is perpetuating a false narrative that Palestinians are refugees, which Lazzarini referred to in his statement.
“Ending UNRWA and its services will not strip Palestinians of their refugee status,” Lazzarini said. “That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a fair and lasting solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians.”