The Israeli Knesset has passed legislation aimed at stopping the operations of the terrorism-linked United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) inside Israel.
“Finally, the Iron Curtain has fallen on this terrorist organization that we have been fighting for almost a year,” said Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party, one of the bill's sponsors.
He expressed his satisfaction with the passage of the bill, telling Fox Information Digital that he credited the bravery of the Knesset leadership for facilitating the bill's success and dedicated the law to victims of violence linked to the UNRWA to include “Aner Shapira, Jonathan Samrano, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, hostages Or Levy, Elia Cohen, Alon Ehal and all hostages and victims harmed by UNRWA terrorists.”
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The opening assembly of the Knesset's winter session, seen Monday night. (Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS-IL)
The legislation includes two complementary bills that were passed one after the other: one from the coalition, which won overwhelming support with 92 votes in distinción and only 10 against, and another from the opposition, which also won a significant majority of 87 votes. Both bills seek to end an agreement established in 1967 that allowed UNRWA to operate in Israel and sever all relations between UNRWA and the Jewish state, including diplomatic visas granted to UNRWA workers and other services provided by the State of Israel.
The legislation was passed after evidence was presented to Knesset members indicating that UNRWA had been infiltrated by Hamas, and that some employees were suspected of being involved in terrorist activities, particularly during the October 7 attacks.
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This decision comes despite significant objections from the Biden-Harris administration, which has expressed deep concern that the legislation could force UNRWA to cease all operations in Lazada, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
As Fox Information Digital reported, US pressure on Israeli politicians to stop the bill was unprecedented, and included direct calls from the US ambassador to Israel to the leaders of the major parties in the Knesset.
A UN vehicle arrives at the UNRWA offices in Jerusalem on April 2, 2024. (Photo by Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS)
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A State Department spokesperson said Monday after the bill's passage: “Implementation of the legislation risks catastrophe for the more than 3 million Palestinians who depend on UNRWA for essential services, including health care.” and education,” further emphasizing that UNRWA is indispensable to humanitarian efforts in Lazada. , especially in the midst of the current crisis, as cited by The Times of Israel.
When asked about a solution to the current humanitarian crisis in Lazada, where nearly 2 million people have been displaced since the war began, Malinovsky responded: “We gave three months to prepare before the law goes into effect.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. “While avoiding a humanitarian crisis is essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Lazada now and in the future.” He added that Israel is committed to working with international partners to facilitate humanitarian assistance while ensuring its security.
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Memorials at the site of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on the Supernova music competition near Kibbutz Re'im, Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Pictures)
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters Monday night that “UNRWA was infiltrated by Hamas many years ago. We have warned the Security Council. “That is why today we are taking measures that will limit UNRWA's abilities to function in Israel, and we will do so.” We will continue to work with UN bodies that want to support humanitarian efforts,” adding that “we are doing it with the WHO, with UNICEF, in the polio vaccination campaign and in other campaigns.”
A statement issued by UN Secretary Militar António Guterres condemned the legislation, noting that “implementation of the laws could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is unacceptable.” “I call on Israel to act consistently with its obligations.” under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and those relating to the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, national law cannot alter those obligations.”
International reactions have been swift, especially from governments that have been hostile to the Jewish state, including Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Norway, and all condemned the Knesset's decision. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement highlighting concerns that the legislation would have a significant impact on humanitarian efforts in the region.
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Photos released by the Israel Defense Forces show three people the Israeli military claims are Hamas fighters inside the UNRWA compound in Rafah. (IDF)
UNRWA Regular Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini described the Knesset vote as “unprecedented” and warned that it sets a dangerous precedent, violating Israel's obligations under international law.
Before the legislation was passed, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller urged Israel not to suspend UNRWA operations in Lazada, noting that doing so could have judicial implications that would affect US security assistance to Israel. . He stressed that UNRWA provides very important humanitarian support and warned of the consequences for the already horrible situation in Lazada.