What is UNRWA doing and why is Israel banning it from the West Bank, Gaza? | Israel-Palestine Conflicts News

The Israeli Knesset has passed a bill banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and another that would delay the distribution of aid to war-torn Gaza.

UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) supports Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the surrounding countries.

The Knesset passed the laws on Monday despite strong criticism from other countries.

So what are the liabilities and what are the tasks that UNRWA faces in the Palestinian territory?

What will the bills do?

One bill makes it illegal for Israeli officials to contact UNRWA. The second prohibits UNRWA from carrying out activities within Israel's borders – a law that will take effect in three months.

This would make it impossible for the organization to obtain entry permits to operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – both of which are under Israeli control.

It will also enable the agency to transport aid through Israeli territory to Palestinians in need.

Why is Israel passing these bills?

This is not the first time UNRWA has come under pressure from the Israeli administration.

In January, Israeli authorities accused UN staff of participating in the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This caused countries to cut funding to UNRWA, including Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, Estonia, Finland , Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland and the United States.

After the UN watchdog investigated the involvement of UNRWA staff in the attack, nine UNRWA staff were dismissed in August.

At the time, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said: “We have enough information … to take the steps we are taking – that is, the elimination of these nine people.”

Many countries have since restored funding to UNRWA.

What is UNRWA?

UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organization in Gaza and the West Bank and also works in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 after the Nakba of 1948 to protect and help the Palestinian people who were being ethnically cleansed from their homes.

It became operational on May 1, 1950, and since then has helped generations of refugees, many of whom are still living in camps.

It provides education, health care, social services and emergency aid to people living in refugee camps in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

How many people does it help?

Over the past 70 years, nearly six million Palestinians have relied on UNRWA's support.

According to the UNRWA website: “In 2021, approximately 545,000 children were enrolled in UNRWA schools (2021-2022 school year); Social Security Assistance reached 398,044 beneficiaries; and 1.7 million received life-saving assistance.”

What services does it provide to the Palestinian people?

UNRWA delivers critical relief and protection assistance to millions of registered Palestinian refugees.

In addition to the emergency aid and annual aid that poor people need to survive, UNRWA provides basic health care and mental health support.

Its services include schools where more than half a million children attended before Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Among the projects it oversees, UNRWA also tries to provide job opportunities, microfinance programs and support Palestinians who want to develop income generating programs.

Most of UNRWA's operations are in Palestinian refugee camps, but it does not build, own or operate any camps, and provides relief services inside and outside the camps, to any Palestinian in need.

What health facilities does UNRWA oversee?

UNRWA clinics see up to 8.5 million patients a year in 144 health facilities.

It also employs more than 3,300 health workers, making it an important employer in the Palestinian health sector.

What other social services does UNRWA provide?

UNRWA's social programs include programs that range from helping women enter the workforce to supporting people with disabilities.

It conducts training programs for several skills, both vocational and professional.

Much in the same way as Palestinian employment in the health care sector, UNRWA itself provides employment opportunities for Palestinians working in its facilities, which provide everything from training women in traditional crafts, sewing, knitting and embroidery to rehabilitation centers for injured Palestinians. or Palestinians living with disabilities.