The Israeli parliament prohibits UNRWA due to suspected links to terrorism, sparking international criticism.

The Israeli parliament has passed legislation to stop UNRWA's operations within Israel due to its links to terrorism.

Yisrael Beiteinu Party member Yulia Malinovsky, one of the bill's sponsors, stated, "The iron curtain has finally fallen on this terrorist organization we have been fighting against for nearly a year."

She praised the bill's passage, attributing its success to the bravery of Knesset leadership and dedicating the law to the victims of UNRWA-linked violence, including "Aner Shapira, Jonathan Samrano, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the hostages Or Levy, Elia Cohen, Alon Ehal, and all the hostages and victims harmed by UNRWA terrorists."

The two bills, one from the coalition and the other from the opposition, were passed consecutively with significant majorities. The first bill, which received 92 votes in favor and 10 against, aims to end an agreement from 1967 that allowed UNRWA to operate in Israel. The second bill, which also received a majority of 87 votes, seeks to sever all relations between UNRWA and the Jewish state, including diplomatic visas granted to UNRWA workers and other services provided by Israel.

After evidence was presented to Knesset members showing that UNRWA had been infiltrated by Hamas, with some employees suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, particularly during the Oct. 7 attacks, legislation was passed.

Although the Biden-Harris administration has raised concerns about the potential impact of the legislation on UNRWA's operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, the decision to pass the bill has been made.

The U.S. ambassador to Israel made direct calls to leaders of the major parties in the Knesset, urging them to halt the bill, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

On Monday, a State Department spokesperson stated that the passage of the bill poses a risk of catastrophe for the 3 million Palestinians who depend on UNRWA for vital services, such as healthcare and education. The spokesperson emphasized that UNRWA is crucial for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, particularly during the ongoing crisis, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Malinovsky stated that three months were given for preparation before the law's implementation in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has resulted in the displacement of nearly 2 million people since the war began.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel should be held accountable. Although it is crucial to prevent a humanitarian crisis, Israel must continue to provide sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza both now and in the future. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is dedicated to collaborating with international partners to facilitate humanitarian aid while maintaining its security.

Danny Danon, Israel's United Nations Ambassador, stated on Monday that UNRWA had been infiltrated by Hamas for many years. He warned the Security Council about this and now Israel is taking action to limit UNRWA's capabilities to function in Israel. Danon added that Israel will continue to work with U.N. organs such as the WHO and UNICEF to support humanitarian efforts, including the polio vaccination campaign and other campaigns.

The U.N. Secretary General António Guterres condemned the legislation, stating that its implementation could have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He called on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and other international law, including humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations. National legislation cannot alter those obligations.

The Knesset's decision has been met with swift condemnation from governments hostile to the Jewish state, including Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Norway. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has expressed concerns that the legislation will negatively impact humanitarian efforts in the region.

The Knesset vote, as described by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, was "unprecedented" and poses a dangerous precedent, violating Israel's obligations under international law.

Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, cautioned Israel against halting UNRWA's operations in Gaza prior to legislation passing. He highlighted the potential legal repercussions for U.S. security assistance to Israel and underscored the critical role UNRWA plays in providing humanitarian aid. He also warned of the dire consequences for Gaza's already precarious situation.