The troubled, terrorist-infested United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is preparing to close its doors after a half-century of fomenting violence rather than economic development and peace in Israel and Israeli-administered territory. The decision was not made because of some sudden wave of guilt and shame sweeping the agency after the savagery of the October 7, 2023, attacks launched on Israeli civilians but because of new Israeli laws; see Israel to UNRWA: Get Out. The laws, passed on October 28, 2024, forbid UNRWA to operate within Israel and, more importantly, forbid any Israeli official from communicating with UNRWA.
Law 1: Ban on UNRWA Operations Within Israeli Territory
Passed with a 92-10 vote, this law prohibits UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory. A combination of two bills advanced in a first Knesset reading in July, this law prevents UNRWA from carrying out any operations in sovereign Israel. The most immediate impact would be felt in East Jerusalem, primarily in the Shuafat Refugee Camp—a no-man’s land separated from the rest of Jerusalem by the separation barrier that nevertheless Israel recognizes as under its sovereignty—where UNRWA plays an outsized role. The law will also mandate the shuttering of UNRWA’s headquarters in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ma’alot Dafna, which had already been slated for confiscation by Israeli authorities.
Law 2: Severing Israeli-UNRWA Ties
The second law—passed 87-9—will cut ties between Israel and UNRWA, barring the contact between the agency and Israeli officials that enables it to function in the West Bank and Gaza. This law cancels the Comay-Michelmore Agreement of 1967, also known as “The Exchange of Letters,” signed in the wake of the Six-Day War. (Notably, at the time of signing, Moshe Dayan called it a huge achievement that UNRWA agreed to “bear the burden” of continuing to provide essential services to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.) In this agreement, Israel committed to allowing the free movement of UNRWA’s international staff and trucks through its territory; ensuring the security of UNRWA personnel and property; and providing exemptions from custom duties and taxes. UNRWA relies on Israel’s continued consent to operate, and consequently removing it opens up a host of new challenges.
RedState has documented UNRWA’s misuse of funds and collaboration with terrorists for years.
BACKGROUND:
How the United States funds UN-sponsored Palestinian terrorism
Trump Administration Guts Funding For UN Palestinian Agency
Tom Cotton Warns Over $1 Billion in Gaza Aid Went to Terrorists
UNRWA schools became hotbeds of jihadism and antisemitism, with holocaust denial, Hitler worship, and the encouragement of violence against non-Muslims being a standard part of the curriculum.
The blatant collaboration between Hamas and UNRWA became obvious on October 7.
BACKGROUND:
OUTRAGE: Hamas Leader Killed in Israeli Air Strike Was United Nations Employee
New Report Reveals the Extent to Which Hamas Has Infiltrated UN Agency
IDF Uncovers Secret Hamas Data Center Directly Beneath UNRWA’s Gaza HQ
Even though UNRWA resolutely denied all evidence of its complicity in the October 7 attacks and how its funding had been used to turn Gaza into a warren of terrorist tunnels (UNRWA Spokesman Gives Insane CNN Interview Amidst Hostage Scandal), there was a moment of high irony when Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed on October 17. Both of his bodyguards were UNRWA employees; see WILD: Incredible Footage Shows Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Up-Close and Personal Just Before His Death.
UNRWA has put a black band across its profile image to grieve for Sinwar. Just in case it was unclear what the UN is. pic.twitter.com/rBorUW3WKj
— Daniel Friedman (@DanFriedman81) October 17, 2024
Along the way, we found out that not only had UNRWA funding been used to finance Hamas’s terror operations, but it had also been skimmed off to enrich UNRWA employees, their families, and friends; see Corrupt United Nations Agency Accused of Stealing and Selling Humanitarian Aid to Gaza.
This perfect storm of revelations led to UNRWA finding itself heading for bankruptcy; see United Nations Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) Is Going Broke. Let It.
There is one huge takeaway from Israel effectively banning UNRWA. It feels like it is in the catbird’s seat diplomatically. The UN Secretary-General and his minions can fulminate all they want, but Israel knows that UNRWA has very weak political backing, and the penalty for booting them is far less than the security risk of its continued presence. The corollary to this is that even though there will be some sort of international effort to rebuild Gaza, whoever participates will be on a very short leash held by the Israelis. The participants will know it is in their interests to keep a good distance from Hamas and Islamic jihad.
