What is Unrwa and why has Israel banned it?

On Monday evening, Israel's parliament made a decision to prohibit the United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency, known as UNRWA, from functioning in Israel and in occupied East Jerusalem.

Interaction between UNRWA staff and Israeli officials will be prohibited, severely hindering the organization's ability to function in Gaza and the Israeli-controlled West Bank.

Nearly all of Gaza's over two million residents rely on assistance and services provided by the agency.

The decision has been met with significant backlash, as Unrwa cautions that the new law could disrupt aid distribution networks, potentially leading to major issues in the weeks ahead.

Israel has stood by its decision, reiterating its claim that some members of the organization’s staff were connected to the Hamas attacks on October 7 of the previous year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals.

Nonetheless, Israel's opposition to UNRWA has its roots in longstanding issues that date back many years.

Understanding UNRWA: Its Purpose And Role

Established in 1949, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, commonly known as Unrwa, operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. It was originally set up to support the 700,000 Palestinians who were displaced or left their homes following the establishment of the state of Israel.

Throughout the years, UNRWA has developed into the largest UN organization working in Gaza. With around 13,000 employees on its staff, it plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance in the region.

The majority of its funding comes from voluntary contributions made by member countries of the UN, along with some direct financial support from the organization itself.

It provides assistance and manages shelters and essential services, including healthcare facilities, training centers for teachers, and nearly 300 elementary schools.

Since the start of the conflict in Gaza, the organization reports that it has provided food packages to nearly 1.9 million individuals. Additionally, it has facilitated close to six million medical consultations throughout the region during the course of the war.

According to the agency, over 200 UNRWA employees have lost their lives in Israeli attacks while carrying out their responsibilities since October 2023.

Tensions Between Israel And UNRWA Explained

Unwra has faced significant criticism from Israel for a long time, with many people in the country opposing its presence altogether.

The situation of refugees has been a fundamental aspect of the Arab-Israeli conflict, as Palestinians hold onto the hope of returning to their homes in historic Palestine, some of which are now located within Israel's borders.

Israel disputes their assertion and criticizes how UNRWA is organized, arguing that it permits refugee status to be passed down through multiple generations.

It argues that this situation solidifies Palestinians' status as refugees and fuels their aspirations for a right to return.

The Israeli government has consistently criticized the agency's educational materials and textbooks, believing they promote negative perceptions of Israel.

In 2022, an Israeli monitoring group reported that the educational content provided by UNRWA conveyed the message that Israel was trying to "wipe out Palestinian identity."

The European Commission has pointed out what it refers to as "anti-Semitic content" in textbooks, which even includes encouragement of violence. In response, the European Parliament has consistently urged that any EU financial support to the Palestinian Authority should depend on the elimination of this type of material.

Unrwa has stated that the claims regarding its educational resources were "incorrect and deceptive" and clarified that a number of the books mentioned were not actually utilized in its schools.

Why Did The Knesset Just Ban UNRWA?

Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, accusations surfaced suggesting that certain UNRWA employees were complicit, which intensified demands within Israel to prohibit the agency's operations.

The military asserted that over 450 employees of Unrwa were affiliated with "terrorist groups." Following these accusations, about 16 Western nations decided to halt their financial support for the aid organization for the time being.

The United Nations looked into Israel’s assertions and dismissed nine individuals, but noted that Israel had not supplied proof for additional accusations. Meanwhile, Unrwa clarified that it was not involved with Hamas on a broader scale.

In a statement made on Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the accusations, posting on X that "UNRWA employees participating in terrorist actions against Israel should be held responsible."

According to the recently passed legislation, which received support from 92 members of parliament while only 10 were against it, interactions between UNRWA staff and Israeli officials will no longer be allowed.

How Will The Ban Affect Us?

Although the majority of Unrwa's initiatives are located in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the organization depends on arrangements with Israel to carry out its operations. This involves transporting aid through checkpoints that connect Israel and Gaza.

Together with the Palestinian Red Crescent, Unrwa takes care of nearly all humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, utilizing 11 centers throughout the region. Additionally, it offers support to 19 refugee camps located in the West Bank.

William Deere, the director of UNRWA, informed the BBC that, from a practical standpoint, the prohibition on engaging with Israeli officials would render it nearly impossible for the agency's personnel to function within the country.

"We won't be able to operate in Gaza without the risk of potential attacks, and it's likely that international staff will no longer be able to obtain visas," he stated.

The head of the UN's World Food Programme stated that without Unrwa operating in Gaza, aid organizations will face challenges in delivering crucial food and medical supplies.

"They handle all the on-the-ground efforts," Cindy McCain explained to the BBC. "We lack the connections and the means to establish those connections, especially since the situation there is incredibly challenging."

On Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that "ongoing humanitarian assistance should still be accessible in Gaza" regardless of Unrwa's restrictions. He also mentioned that Israel will collaborate with its global partners to make sure this happens.

On Monday, the U.S. State Department emphasized that Israel needs to significantly increase its efforts to facilitate the entry of international aid into Gaza. This statement follows a warning issued two weeks prior, where the U.S. allowed Israel a 30-day period to enhance the flow of supplies, or else face potential reductions in military support.