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Israel moves to redefine UNRWA: Controversial bill passes preliminary reading
Knesset has advanced a bill to strip UNRWA of its immunities, labeling it a terrorist organization
On May 29, 2024, a Bill to Abolish the Immunity and Privileges of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), designating the UN organization as a terrorist organization, passed a preliminary reading with a 42-6 majority in the Israeli parliament.
The same bill will abolish immunities and privileges for UNRWA employees. In the current composition of the Knesset, the bill is likely to pass the final reading, and the Anti-Terrorism Law will also apply. Consequently, Israel will cease its ties with UNRWA.
What is UNRWA’s job in the Middle East?
What are Israel’s grievances against the agency? Why are the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Article 1D of the Refugee Convention relevant? And what are possible ways to support the refugees in Gaza?
UNRWA was established as a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly in December 1949 and became operational on 1 May 1950. Resolution 302 of the UN General Assembly recognizes that “continued assistance for the relief of the Palestine refugees is necessary to prevent conditions of starvation and distress among them and to further conditions of peace and stability, and that constructive measures should be undertaken at an early date with a view to the termination of international assistance for relief.”
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