Israel’s decision to outlaw UNRWA is long overdue
A decade ago, I documented troubling links between the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and terrorist organizations operating in Gaza. These early warnings have now been confirmed in the most horrifying ways. On October 7, UNRWA staff took part in the atrocities committed by Hamas, revealing a deep-rooted linkage that extends far beyond negligence.
One year after the massacre, the extent of UNRWA’s entanglement with terror is undeniable. According to the IDF, approximately 10% of UNRWA employees in Gaza have ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Among them was Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Hamas Nukhba commander responsible for massacring 16 people and kidnapping four civilians at the Nova music festival. Once in Gaza, the IDF uncovered a Hamas data center located directly beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters. Repeatedly, UNRWA facilities, including schools, have served as operational hubs and shelters for Hamas operatives.
Given these revelations, one might have expected the UN to take decisive action against UNRWA’s associations with terrorism and finally address years of ignored warnings. Instead, the UN launched a superficial “independent review,” which downplayed the findings, condemned Israel’s actions against terrorists employed by UNRWA, and ignored their jihadist affiliations. Worse, the UN used the suffering of Palestinian civilians as a pretext to justify UNRWA’s continued presence, arguing it must maintain its services. But Israel could no longer tolerate inaction. By passing new legislative measures, Israel has affirmed its security interests and refuses to wait for the next disaster.
In response to UNRWA’s egregious violations, Israel’s Knesset passed two historic laws: one barring UNRWA from Israeli territory and another restricting its influence in Gaza and the West Bank by banning state authorities from engaging with the agency. This legislation passed with near-unanimous support (92 to 10 and 87 to 9, respectively), underscores Israel’s right to protect its citizens from an agency entangled with terror.
This legislation also confronts UNRWA’s systemic flaws. By uniquely designating that Palestinians retain their refugee status across generations, UNRWA has perpetuated the conflict rather than facilitating resettlement, as is standard for all other refugee populations. Its educational materials have spread a narrative of martyrdom and jihad, rife with anti-Semitism and dehumanization of Jews, which has fueled regional violence and diminished prospects for peace.
It is important to note that Israel remains committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. It has pledged to address the needs in East Jerusalem through initiatives by its Education and Health ministries and the Jerusalem Municipality. The country aims to strengthen partnerships with international agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to facilitate aid to Gaza and the West Bank. While essential services must continue, they must not jeopardize Israeli security or regional stability.
Despite criticism from some international allies, Israel’s decision addresses a longstanding injustice that has fueled extremism and obstructed peace. Limiting UNRWA’s harmful influence is crucial for achieving genuine conflict resolution and long-term stability. Ultimately, replacing an internationally funded agency that aligns with violent forces brings Israelis and Palestinians closer to a future of security and self-sufficiency.
