The Knesset approved on Monday two bills that ban UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, from operating in Israel. The bills were advanced despite there being no alternative body to take on the agency's operations in Gaza or East Jerusalem, and in the face of mounting international criticism against the legislation.
The bills are aimed at making it substantially more difficult for UNRWA to operate in Israel, including in East Jerusalem, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza, and to inflict financial damage on the agency that provides educational, social welfare, food and other services to millions of Palestinians.
The media adviser to UNRWA, Adnan Abu Hasna, said that Israel's decision to ban the organization's operation inside the country will mean the collapse of the humanitarian process as a whole. Hasna described the decision as an "unprecedented" escalation while speaking to Qatar's Al Jazeera Mubasher TV.
Following the approval of the bills, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement in English on X, saying that UNRWA workers were "involved in terrorist activities" against Israel and "must be held accountable." He added that "in the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and after – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel's security."
UNWRA's commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, said the bills set a "dangerous prcedent."
"This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to #Palestine Refugees," he wrote on X, adding that the bills "will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians."
Lazzarini continued also said the bills would "deprive over 650,000 girls & boys there from education, putting at risk an entire generation of children. These bills increase the suffering of the Palestinians & are nothing less than collective punishment. Putting an end to UNRWA & its services will not strip the Palestinians from their refugee status. That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a fair and lasting solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians."
Prior to the approval of the bills, State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller said: "We've made quite clear to the government of Israel we are deeply concerned by this proposed legislation," noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raised the issue in their recent letter to Israeli counterparts. "Passage of the legislation could have implications under U.S. law and U.S. policy," Miller added.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, published a video statement on X following the passage of the bills, saying that Israel would "continue to cooperate with humanitarian organizations, but not with those who cooperate with Hamas terrorists."
The first of the two bills to be approved states that "UNRWA will not operate any missions, won't provide any service and won't hold any activity – directly or indirectly – in the sovereign territory of the State of Israel."
The bill's approval would effectively ban UNRWA from operating in East Jerusalem. The agency currently operates in the Shuafat refugee camp, where it provides residents with cleaning, education, health and other services. The bill was submitted by Likud lawmaker Boaz Bismuth and other lawmakers after being merged with a bill submitted by New Hope-United Right lawmaker, Sharren Haskel.
92 MKs voted for the measure, while 10 voted against it. Lawmakers from several opposition parties, including Yesh Atid, the National Unity Party and Yisrael Beiteinu, voted with the coalition. Labor MKs weren't present for the vote.
The newly approved law may also complicate the ability of banks in Israel to work with UNRWA. Senior officials in the agency expressed concerns that the law could lead to the collapse of UNRWA's administrative system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, due to difficulties in paying salaries and suppliers, which are also processed through Bank Leumi.
The second bill, approved shortly after, is aimed at revoking exemptions given to UNRWA, including tax exemptions and diplomatic status and immunity. Under it, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) will be required to cease its working relations with UNRWA.
This proposal combines three separate bills submitted by lawmakers Ron Katz, Dan Illouz, Yulia Malinovsky, and other Knesset members. Malinovsky's original proposal aimed to classify UNRWA as a terrorist organization, but it was softened due to legal obstacles.