Official announcements from the United States government or State Department

Israel's Knesset Votes 92-10 to Ban UNRWA Amid Hamas Allegations

Oct 28, 2024, 07:21 PM

On October 28, the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, passed legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel, citing alleged ties to Hamas. The law, approved with significant bipartisan support in a 92-10 vote, bans any contact with UNRWA and will heavily restrict the agency's activities in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The decision has raised concerns among international partners, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, with the US State Department expressing deep concern over the potential impact on humanitarian aid. UNRWA officials have called the move unprecedented and warned that it will deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza, where the agency serves as a lifeline for refugees.