The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee unanimously approved two legislative proposals on Sunday aimed at curbing the activities of UNRWA within Israel. The committee’s decision marks a significant step in the ongoing discourse surrounding UNRWA’s role and operations.
“UNRWA is out!” Committee Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein declared at the end of the vote. “The problem of UNRWA did not begin on October 7; it has long been a concern that has surfaced in all its malignancy. For many years, lawmakers from across the political spectrum have raised the issue and advanced legislative proposals.”
The scrutiny of UNRWA intensified following revelations that members of its staff allegedly participated in the October 7 attacks.
With the Knesset poised to finalize the legislation, the implications for UNRWA’s future operations and funding remain uncertain. Israeli officials are advocating for a restructuring of refugee aid, calling for Palestinian refugees to fall under the mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as they assert that the current setup is unsustainable and detrimental to Israeli security.