Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Sparks International Outcry and Humanitarian Concerns

The Israeli Knesset has passed legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating within Israel, a move that has garnered widespread international criticism. The new laws, approved on Monday, prohibit Israeli officials from engaging with UNRWA and forbid the agency from performing any operations within Israel’s boundaries, effective in three months.

UNRWA, established in 1949, plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and social services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and neighboring countries. The agency supports approximately six million Palestinians and has been a lifeline for those in refugee camps, offering essential services such as primary healthcare, mental health services, and educational programs.

The ban is part of a broader controversy surrounding UNRWA, with Israeli officials accusing the agency of being infiltrated by the militant group Hamas. This accusation led to several countries suspending their funding to UNRWA in January 2024, although most have since reinstated their support. The United States, however, has kept its funding frozen until at least March 2025.

International reactions to the ban have been vehement. Amnesty International‘s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, described the law as an “outright attack on the rights of Palestinian refugees” and a “criminalization of humanitarian aid.” The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under international law and warned that the implementation of these laws would be detrimental to peace and security in the region.

The Palestinian representative at the UN, Riyad Mansour, condemned the move as a “new phase in this confrontation with the UN” and a part of a comprehensive attack on the Palestinian populace. He urged the UN Security Council to take action and ensure accountability for Israel’s actions.

The U.S. State Department has also expressed deep concern over the legislation, with spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasizing UNRWA’s irreplaceable role in providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Other countries, including Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, the UK, and Germany, have condemned the move, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences it could entail.

The ban comes amidst an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in significant humanitarian crises in Gaza. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has led to the displacement of nearly 90% of Gaza’s population and the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.