The Israeli Knesset passed a bill banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and another that would likely curtail aid distribution in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) supports Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, as well as in neighboring countries.
The Knesset passed the laws on Monday despite strong international condemnation.
So, what do the bills contain and what activities is UNRWA responsible for in the Palestinian territory?
What will the invoices be used for?
A bill prohibits Israeli officials from having contact with UNRWA. The second prohibits UNRWA from carrying out activities within Israeli borders – a rule that will come into force in three months.
This will make it impossible for the agency to obtain entry permits to operate in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip – both of which are under Israeli control.
It will also make it impossible for the agency to transport aid through Israeli territory to Palestinians in need.
Why is Israel passing these bills?
This is not the first time that UNRWA has come under pressure from the Israeli authorities.
In January, Israeli authorities accused UN workers of participating in the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel. This has led some countries to cut funding to UNRWA, including Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland and the United States.
After a UN monitoring body investigated the involvement of UNRWA personnel in the attacks, nine UNRWA staff members were fired in August.
At the time, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said: “We have enough information… to take the action we are taking, which is the dismissal of these nine people . »
Most countries have since restored funding to UNRWA.
What is UNRWA?
UNRWA is the main humanitarian organization in Gaza and the West Bank and also operates in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 after the 1948 Nakba to protect and assist Palestinians ethnically cleansed from their homes.
It became operational on May 1, 1950, and has since helped generations of refugees, many of whom still live in camps.
It provides education, health care, social services and emergency relief to people living in refugee camps in the Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
How many people does it serve?
Over the past 70 years, approximately six million Palestinians have relied on UNRWA’s support.
According to the UNRWA website: “In 2021, almost 545,000 children were enrolled in UNRWA schools (2021-2022 school year); Social safety net program assistance reached 398,044 beneficiaries; and 1.7 million received life-saving humanitarian assistance.
What services does it offer to Palestinians?
UNRWA provides crucial humanitarian assistance and protection to millions of registered Palestinian refugees.
In addition to the emergency relief and year-round assistance that poor people need to survive, UNRWA provides primary health care and mental health support.
Its services also include schools where more than half a million children studied before Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
Among the projects it oversees, UNRWA also works to provide employment opportunities, microfinance programs and support to Palestinians who wish to develop income-generating initiatives.
Many UNRWA operations take place in Palestinian refugee camps, but the agency does not build, own or operate camps, and it provides humanitarian services inside and outside camps, to any Palestinian in need.
Which health facilities does UNRWA supervise?
UNRWA clinics receive approximately 8.5 million patient visits per year across 144 health centers.
It also employs more than 3,300 health workers, making it a significant employer in the Palestinian health sector.
What other social services does UNRWA provide?
UNRWA’s social service programs include programs ranging from helping women enter the workforce to supporting people with disabilities.
It manages several vocational, vocational and vocational training programs.
In the same way that it employs Palestinians in the health sector, UNRWA itself provides employment opportunities to Palestinians who work in its centers, which offer training ranging from training women in traditional trades , sewing, knitting and embroidery, as well as physical rehabilitation centers for injured Palestinians. or Palestinians living with disabilities.