The demand follows the passage of controversial legislation by Israel's Knesset in October 2024, which effectively bans UNRWA from operating within Israel’s sovereign territory.
This legislation, passed with overwhelming support, also restricts the agency’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank, marking a critical shift in Israel's approach toward the UN agency. The new law prohibits UNRWA from running any offices, providing services, or conducting activities within areas under Israeli control. With East Jerusalem serving as a key administrative hub for the agency, the legislation would force UNRWA to vacate its premises in the city by the end of this month, significantly impacting its operations.
The agency has faced mounting criticism from Israel, especially following the outbreak of the war between Hamas and Israel in October 2023. Israel’s allegations against UNRWA center on claims that the agency’s staff in Gaza have ties to terrorist groups, including Hamas, and that its educational facilities incite hatred and glorify violence. These accusations gained further traction after the October 7 attack on southern Israel, during which Hamas militants killed hundreds of civilians. Israel discovered that dozens of UNRWA employees were involved in the assault, a claim the agency has denied.
UNRWA’s leadership, however, continues to make unfounded claims about its ability to “stay and deliver” humanitarian services despite the challenges it faces. Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s chief, insists that UNRWA is committed to operating in Gaza. Lazzarini’s defiant stance overlooks the fact that the agency has long failed to address concerns about its ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas, which jeopardizes Israel’s security and undermines the very principles of neutrality and impartiality it claims to uphold.
The long-standing tension between Israel and UNRWA is rooted in the agency’s blatant disregard for security and its role in perpetuating anti-Israel sentiment through its educational programs. Israel has repeatedly raised alarms about UNRWA’s staff links to terrorism and its failure to rein in extremist ideologies promoted in its schools and camps. Despite these warnings, UNRWA has refused to reform, turning a blind eye to the evidence that its operations have contributed to a culture of hatred and violence.
As the deadline for UNRWA to vacate its premises in Jerusalem looms, the international community remains divided, though Israel’s position is clear: the agency must be held accountable for its actions. Critics who argue that stopping UNRWA will worsen the humanitarian crisis ignore the fact that it is UNRWA itself that has failed to serve its true humanitarian purpose by fostering extremism and dependency.
The outcome of this dispute is crucial, not just for the future of Palestinian refugees, but for the broader Middle East peace process. UNRWA has been an obstacle to peace for decades, and its continued presence in the region undermines any genuine effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Israel continues to defend its right to ensure security for its citizens, the international community must recognize that UNRWA’s operations have done more to fuel conflict than to alleviate suffering.
Ambassador Danon evacuation announcement to UNRWA:
"You must vacate the buildings and compounds in Jerusalem by January 30, 2025." Ahead of the implementation of UNRWA legislation, Ambassador Danon informed the UN Secretary-General that he must vacate UNRWA's workplaces in Jerusalem as stipulated by the law. Hamas and other terrorist organizations have infiltrated UNRWA long ago. The Secretary-General's stubborn and principled refusal to blatantly deny and ignore the evidence provided by Israel regarding the organization's lack of neutrality and terrorism has forced Israel to act responsibly towards its citizens, respond, and cease cooperation with the organization"
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