Israel’s parliament has voted to ban the United Nations relief and works agency (Unrwa) from the country within 90 days, in defiance of US and other international pressure to maintain the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the country’s Palestinian population.
In a 92-10 vote late on Monday, the Knesset banned the agency, which operates in Israel according to a 1967 treaty, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside Israel, including the areas of annexed east Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
Israeli lawmakers also voted to declare Unrwa a terror group, effectively banning any direct interaction between the UN agency and the Israeli state.
Taken together, the legislation – which will not come into effect immediately – is expected to lead to the closure of Unrwa’s east Jerusalem headquarters and would effectively block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via Rafah. The severing of diplomatic relations would preclude Israel from issuing entry and work permits to foreign Unrwa staff and prevent coordination with the Israeli military to permit aid shipments.
More than 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced and the Gaza strip faces widespread shortages of food, water and medicine.
There’s also an ‘Explainer’ article for more background: theguardian.com/…/what-is-unrwa-and-why-has-israe…
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 2 days ago
The United Nations Relief Agency, a terrorist organisation?? Who believes this shit.
Zagorath@aussie.zone 2 days ago
Nobody believes it. It’s entirely an effort to provide just enough legal cover for their genocide.
Eyekaytee@aussie.zone 2 days ago
i mean germany found multiple members of unra participating in the oct 7 genocide attempt on israel so yeah? if unra has been infiltrated by hamas members why wouldn’t they?
zero_gravitas@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Those allegations were made back in January, and nearly all donor governments - including Germany’s and our own - ultimately resumed funding for UNRWA:
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 2 days ago
Drag doesn’t believe the German government on anything. Especially not issues of genocide. They don’t have a good record.