Shafaqna India: On Monday, Israel’s parliament approved a controversial bill prohibiting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. The bill passed with a vote of 92 in favor and 10 against, prompting immediate backlash from key allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, condemned the decision, stating, “It’s outrageous that a member state of the United Nations is working to dismantle a UN agency that plays a crucial role in humanitarian operations in Gaza.”
British Foreign Minister David Lammy expressed London’s “profound regret” over the legislation, emphasizing that the consideration of shutting down UNRWA’s operations was troubling. Prior to the vote, he noted, “The allegations against UNRWA staff earlier this year were fully investigated and do not justify severing ties with the agency.”
Israel has accused “several staff members” of UNRWA of involvement in the Hamas attacks in October 2023 but has not provided evidence to support these claims. Lammy asserted that banning UNRWA, which provides essential services such as healthcare and education in both the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, would not serve Israel’s interests.
The U.S. government also voiced significant concerns, highlighting the “irreplaceable role” of UNRWA in delivering humanitarian assistance in Gaza, as stated by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.