Israel's Knesset Votes 92-10 to Ban UNRWA Within 90 Days Despite US Warnings

Oct 28, 2024, 09:47 PM

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has passed two laws banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within the country, declaring it a terrorist organization. The legislation was approved with an overwhelming majority vote of 92-10 and requires UNRWA to cease activities inside Israel within 90 days. The laws also prohibit Israeli officials from having any contact with the agency. The move has raised concerns among international allies, including the United States, which warned that it could worsen the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where UNRWA is a main provider of aid. UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the ban as "unprecedented" and said it "sets a dangerous precedent" that will "only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza."