Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the immediate enforcement of a law aimed at shutting down the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) within Israeli-controlled areas.
The directive follows legislation passed by the Knesset in October 2024 with broad support, prohibiting Israeli authorities from engaging with the agency and mandating the closure of its offices in occupied East Jerusalem.
In a statement posted on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed that the UNRWA law, which was passed by the Knesset with broad support, be enforced immediately.” It added that there were “no restrictions on the implementation of the Prime Minister’s directive.”
The UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Over the years, it has offered essential services, including education, healthcare, and vocational training, across the occupied
Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
However, Israeli officials have long criticised the agency, accusing it of bias and alleging that it enables militant groups operating in Palestinian areas. In line with the new law, Israel ordered UNRWA to vacate all premises in East Jerusalem and cease operations there by 30 January.
The move aligns with recent international developments targeting UNRWA, including funding cuts ordered by former US President Donald Trump earlier this month.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly opposed Israel’s decision, warning that an effective ban on UNRWA would have “devastating consequences” for Palestinian refugees.
“The agency plays a central role in delivering humanitarian aid to some of the most vulnerable populations,” Guterres said following the Knesset vote.
Joyce Msuya, acting head of the UN aid coordination office, condemned Israel’s actions as “dangerous and outrageous,” while UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the move amounted to “collective punishment” that would worsen Palestinian suffering.
UNRWA has been a critical lifeline for Palestinian refugees, providing medical care, schooling, and relief aid in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The agency remains one of the main providers of education and healthcare services for millions of displaced Palestinians.
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