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…
southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
What the absolute fuck are they thinking?
Did someone spike the Israel water supply with stupid pills or something?
maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Expelling all Palestinians from any part of Palestine has always been the plan though. No spiking of water necessary.
southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Yeah, but trying to cut ties with un humanitarian services is going to erode their already shaky position with purported allies. No treaty or alliance can survive everything. At some point, the risk/reward analysis is going to turn against them, and even their allies that rely on them to be a force projection in the region are going to start abandoning them.
Are they thinking that if they keep this shit up that they’ll get attacked full on and their tenuous alliances are going to jump into a world war for them?
It’s such shitty long term thinking. Yeah, maybe they take Palestine fully before they lose backing, but what would they be left with? It wouldn’t gain them anything worth having long term, and could cost them so much if it goes wrong.
SulaymanF@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
The Israel far right is trying to outdo one another for who is most militant.
sik0fewl@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Well, they’re not purging Palestinians from Palestine so that they come to Israel, if that’s what you’re thinking.