Israel has officially informed the United Nations that its agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, must cease operations in Jerusalem and vacate all of its premises in the city by January 30, 2025. The deadline follows a controversial Israeli law that bars the agency from operating within Israel and East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after the 1967 Six-Day War.
In a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, affirmed that UNRWA must comply with the new legislation and leave by the set deadline. The agency, which provides vital humanitarian support to millions of Palestinian refugees, has long operated in East Jerusalem, running schools, clinics, and other services.
This move comes amid growing tensions between Israel and UNRWA. The Israeli government has escalated its criticism of the agency since the onset of the war with Hamas, accusing some of its employees of being involved in the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, a claim that UNRWA has disputed. The agency employs approximately 13,000 staff members in Gaza, and there have been increased calls from Israeli officials to terminate the agency's operations, citing allegations of bias and support for Palestinian militant groups.
The Israeli government has also passed a law prohibiting contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA but has not yet banned the agency’s operations in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. UNRWA, which is vital to Palestinian humanitarian efforts, serves around six million refugees across the region, including in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The agency has faced increasing challenges in its operations, both from Israeli policies and from internal pressures regarding its effectiveness and management.
UNRWA's chief, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed deep concern over Israel’s decision. In a statement on social media, Lazzarini warned that halting the agency’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank would severely undermine efforts for peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that the continuation of UNRWA’s work in Gaza is essential to prevent further deterioration of the situation, especially following the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict.
The decision to expel UNRWA from East Jerusalem is widely seen as part of a broader Israeli effort to reduce international influence in Palestinian territories and to limit Palestinian access to services and aid that are critical to their daily lives.
The international community, including UN officials and human rights organizations, has raised concerns that this move could further destabilize the region and harm the prospects for peace. UNRWA has been a cornerstone of Palestinian relief efforts since its establishment in 1949, and its closure in Jerusalem is expected to have significant humanitarian and political consequences for the region.
