Is this the end for UNRWA? Knesset bill targets organization’s future 

On Sunday, the Knesset's Foreign Affairs Committee approved two bills dealing with the struggle against the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which according to a number of testimonies cooperates with the Hamas terrorist organization, stipulating, among other things, that the State of Israel will not have any contact with the organization or anyone on its behalf.

The first proposal, by MK Boaz Bismuth, to which a proposal by MK Sharan Haskel was merged, states that UNRWA will not operate any representative office, will not provide any service and will not conduct any activity, directly or indirectly, in the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.

According to the second proposal, any contact between Israeli officials and members of an organization suspected of aiding terrorism would be prohibited, and among other things, they would not be given diplomatic visas and economic benefits.

Any criminal proceedings that apply or apply to an UNRWA employee in connection with crimes committed on October 7 or in any context relating to the Anti-Terrorism Law will remain in place.

Both proposals were approved unanimously and will take effect 90 days after final approval. In addition, the proposals establish a duty for the National Security Council to report to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the implementation of the provisions of the law.