JERUSALEM. Israel has formally notified the United Nations that it is canceling its longstanding agreement with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which has operated in the region since 1967. This move, confirmed by Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Monday, comes after the Israeli parliament passed legislation banning UNRWA’s operations within Israel and halting Israeli cooperation with the agency.
UNRWA, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, provides essential aid and education services to millions of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza. However, Israeli officials have criticized the agency for what they allege is an anti-Israel bias, claiming it perpetuates the conflict by keeping Palestinians in perpetual refugee status.
In light of the recent Gaza conflict, which began after Hamas attacked Israel in October, Israel has escalated its claims, accusing UNRWA of harboring Hamas elements. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon stated, “Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the U.N. highlighting how Hamas infiltrated UNRWA, the U.N. did nothing to address this reality.”
The new law halting Israel’s coordination with UNRWA does not directly ban the agency from working in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza. However, the restrictions are likely to hinder UNRWA’s operations in these areas, raising concerns among international aid groups and Israel’s Western allies. These parties fear that disrupting UNRWA’s services may worsen the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, where UNRWA has played a key role in supporting Palestinian communities during the prolonged conflict with Hamas.
In a bid to address the aid gap, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced it would expand activities with other international organizations, adding that “preparations will be made to end the connection with UNRWA and to boost alternatives to UNRWA.”
With humanitarian conditions in Gaza under scrutiny, the latest decision underscores Israel’s complex position in balancing security concerns with international calls for continued relief efforts.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
