Israeli Knesset passes bills to close UNRWA, label it ‘terrorist organization’

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli parliament has passed three bills in their first readings aimed at shutting down the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and designating it a “terrorist organization”.

The first bill, passed by 58-9, prohibits UNRWA from operating any mission, providing any service or conducting any activity on Israeli territory, according to The Times of Israel.

The second bill was approved 63-9 and calls for stripping UNRWA personnel of their legal immunities and privileges offered to UN staff in Israel.

The third bill calls for designating the UN agency as a “terrorist organization” and requires Israel to cut ties with it. It was passed by a 50-10 vote.

The three bills will now go to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for preparation for the second and third readings necessary for the legislation to become law.

UNRWA is the primary source of humanitarian support for Palestinians in Gaza and the wider region.

However, Israel has lobbied hard to have UNRWA closed, especially since it began its war on Gaza in October.

It has come under sustained military, financial and diplomatic attacks since Israel’s war on Gaza began. The UK government has followed other countries by restoring funding suspended earlier this year. However, the US, formerly UNRWA’s main donor, has yet to do the same.

In late January 2024, Israel falsely accused 12 UNRWA workers of involvement in the 7 October operation, alleging they had distributed ammunition and aided in civilian kidnappings.

Following these allegations, several countries suspended funding. The EU bloc did the same, leading to a significant cut in UNRWA’s funding.

For many years, accusations against UNRWA focused on mismanagement of funds and the content of educational materials deemed antisemitic by critics.