The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been the subject of all sorts of controversy of late. Critics consider it an obvious front for terrorists while apologists say their work is vital for Palestinians in need of aid as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.
For Israel, the debate is over, and on Monday their parliament voted to ban UNRWA operations from operating on Israeli soil.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on the legislation reiterating the accusations that UNRWA employees are involved in terrorist activities in the region. An investigation by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services closed in August, with some allegations being debunked and noting that others lacked sufficient evidence.
However, the agency noted that nine employees may have been involved in the Oct. 7 terror attack against Israel if evidence was “authenticated and corroborated.” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said those contracts would be terminated.
Netanyahu’s office said Monday that UNRWA personnel “must be held accountable.”
The vote by the Israeli Parliament to outlaw @UNRWA is indeed unprecedented. For too many years too many countries turned a blind eye on corrupt and terrorism-supporting @UN 🇺🇳 agencies. Time for more countries to outlaw these terrorism-supporters. pic.twitter.com/dXCka9FbKq
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) October 28, 2024
Questionable personnel:
COWARD: Hamas Chief’s Bunker Loaded With UN Food, Millions in Cash, Weapons and More
OUTRAGE: Hamas Leader Killed in Israeli Air Strike Was United Nations Employee
‘Does the UN Hold My Son?’ Heartbroken Israeli Mother Confronts Head of Hamas-Tied United Nations Agency
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini was obviously not pleased with the decision.
Lazzarini decried the Israeli parliament vote, writing in a post on X that it violated the U.N. charter and “sets a dangerous precedent.” He accused the legislation of amounting to collective punishment and puts an entire generation of children at risk.
“This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to #Palestine Refugees,” Lazzarini wrote.
Established in 1949, the UNRWA is a U.N. organization meant to provide aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. It’s clear, however, that at least some members do much more than provide aid.
Newly released footage from October 7 shows terrorists taking Israeli hostages to Al Shifa hospital – the sort of Gaza hospital that @UNRWA and @WHO keep telling us are sacred places that Israel must never approach.
Sound on to hear “innocent civilians” celebrating the capture… pic.twitter.com/0HnBxfrmL8
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 28, 2024
Sound on to hear “innocent civilians” celebrating the capture of Israelis.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon spoke before the Security Council Monday and said his country will not work with terrorists:
Today, in a media statement before the Security Council session, I addressed the legislation that limits the activities of UNRWA. We will continue to cooperate with humanitarian organizations, but not with those who cooperate with Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/pnr1tHAiRK
— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) October 28, 2024
Until the UNRWA can renounce their ties to Hamas and other terrorists and prove that their ranks are free of them, Israel is right to keep them out of its country.
