UNRWA

Today in reading the WSJ I thought this story reflected the complexity of the world we live in. The United Nations Relief and Works agency looks after Palestinian refugees provides food to 2000 families, health care, runs schools and provides other municipal services. There are hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel last week passed laws aimed at halting those operations without any plan B. The laws are the culmination of a battle that has been brewing since October 7, of 2023 when the latest round of hostilities started between Israel and Hamas. Israel has accused UNRWA employees of taking part in the attack. The most important concern of Israel is the presence of militants in the UNRWA ranks. UNRWA is made up mostly of Palestinians. The United nations addressed this concern by firing several employees and investigating others but these efforts were not satisfactory to Israel. According to the UN the legislation by Israel stopping the work of UNRWA violates international law. The legislation bars UNRWA from working in East Jerusalem and Israel and forbids Israeli officials from having contact with UNRWA.

This legislation could prevent UNRWA from obtaining visas, use Israeli held crossing points and ensure diplomatic protection for its staff. Some 380 schools, and 65 health care institutions will stop functioning if these laws are effective. Humanitarian aid and municipal services would cease if these laws become effective. To be continued....