Israel notifies UN to halt ties with Palestinian relief agency despite disapproval from allies

Israel says it has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to cancel the agreement governing its relationship with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) since 1967.

The move follows the Israeli parliament’s passage of the widely denounced legislation last month banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and prohibiting Israeli authorities from cooperating with the organization.

UNRWA provides vital aid and education services to millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. However, Israel has long criticized the agency, accusing it of anti-Israel bias and perpetuating the conflict by maintaining Palestinians in a permanent refugee status.

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The ongoing Gaza war has further strained relations, with Israel alleging that UNRWA has been infiltrated by Hamas and some staff members participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel’s key allies including the United Nations have raised concerns about the ban as they fear it will exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The country’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon stated that despite submitting evidence of Hamas infiltration, the UN failed to address the issue.

While the legislation doesn’t directly outlaw UNRWA‘s operations in the West Bank and Gaza, it will significantly impact its ability to work in those areas. Aid groups and many of Israel’s partners have called for a review of the legislation.

In response to the cancellation, the Israeli foreign ministry plans to expand activities by other international organizations and prepare alternatives to UNRWA.

The development adds to the crisis facing UNRWA, which has seen key donors, including the US, Germany, and the EU, freeze around $450 million in funding.