Israel passes law banning UN humanitarian relief agency for Palestinians

Israel passed a law on Monday banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to multiple reports.

Israel’s legislature, the Knesset, voted 92-10 to bar the UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil on Monday, notes the Associated Press.

“It was approved by the plenary: UNRWA activities in the territory of the State of Israel will be stopped,” the Knesset said in a post on the social platform X translated from Hebrew.

Another law possibly cutting off diplomatic ties between Israel and UNRWA also passed the Israeli legislature, according to the AP. In the wake of the U.N. receiving notification from Israel’s foreign ministry, both the law on UNRWA activity in Israel and on diplomatic ties have the chance of taking effect in up to 3 months, per a spokesperson for a co-sponsor backing part of UNRWA-targeting legislation.

“UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future,” a post on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's account on X read Monday.

“In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and after – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security,” the post continued.

UNRWA's leader, Philippe Lazzarini, criticized the vote in a post on X Monday calling it "unprecedented."

"The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against @UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law,” he wrote, calling it “the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to #Palestine Refugees.”

The Associated Press contributed.