- cross-posted to:
- news
- cross-posted to:
- news
Israel’s parliament has voted to ban the United Nations relief and works agency (Unrwa) from the country within 90 days, in defiance of US and other international pressure to maintain the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the country’s Palestinian population.
In a 92-10 vote late on Monday, the Knesset banned the agency, which operates in Israel according to a 1967 treaty, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside Israel, including the areas of annexed east Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.
Israeli lawmakers also voted to declare Unrwa a terror group, effectively banning any direct interaction between the UN agency and the Israeli state.
Taken together, the legislation – which will not come into effect immediately – is expected to lead to the closure of Unrwa’s east Jerusalem headquarters and would effectively block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via Rafah. The severing of diplomatic relations would preclude Israel from issuing entry and work permits to foreign Unrwa staff and prevent coordination with the Israeli military to permit aid shipments.
More than 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced and the Gaza strip faces widespread shortages of food, water and medicine.
There’s also an ‘Explainer’ article for more background: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/28/what-is-unrwa-and-why-has-israels-parliament-voted-to-ban-it
- Jure Repinc ( @JRepin@lemmy.ml ) English9•28 days ago
It’s way past time that UN bans Israel from their institutions and puts heavy sanctions on them for their genocide and other crimes against humanity.
- Dragon Rider (drag) ( @dragonfucker@lemmy.nz ) English8•28 days ago
The United Nations Relief Agency, a terrorist organisation?? Who believes this shit.
- Zagorath ( @Zagorath@aussie.zone ) 7•28 days ago
Nobody believes it. It’s entirely an effort to provide just enough legal cover for their genocide.
- ikt ( @Eyekaytee@aussie.zone ) English3•28 days ago
i mean germany found multiple members of unra participating in the oct 7 genocide attempt on israel so yeah? if unra has been infiltrated by hamas members why wouldn’t they?
Those allegations were made back in January, and nearly all donor governments - including Germany’s and our own - ultimately resumed funding for UNRWA:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-resume-cooperation-with-palestinian-unrwa-agency-2024-04-24/
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-15/australia-to-restore-palestinian-aid-funding-to-unrwa/103592164
- https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australia-will-resume-funding-to-un-palestinian-aid-agency-heres-how-we-got-here/bpofyz6ba
- ikt ( @Eyekaytee@aussie.zone ) English3•27 days ago
you mean after
Eventually, a UN investigation found that nine UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the attack on Israel and terminated them
Correct, after that the EU, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Australia, etc. determined that UNRWA was not a terrorist organisation, and resumed their funding.
- Seagoon_ ( @Seagoon_@aussie.zone ) 1•26 days ago
There was live streaming by UNRWA employees , LIVE STREAMING
I’m assuming you mean live streaming of the attacks on 7 October? Do you have a source for this? I can’t even find anyone claiming this.
As far as I’m aware, the nature of the evidence against UNRWA staff (if there was any) was never made public. If there was live streaming, I think the Israeli government would never stop talking about it.
In any case, there were accusations against 12 UNRWA staff. UNRWA employed 13,000 people within the Gaza Strip, so even if those unproven accusations were true, it would hardly be indicative of UNRWA being a ‘terrorist organisation’.
- Dragon Rider (drag) ( @dragonfucker@lemmy.nz ) English2•28 days ago
Drag doesn’t believe the German government on anything. Especially not issues of genocide. They don’t have a good record.
- ikt ( @Eyekaytee@aussie.zone ) English1•28 days ago
How convenient for you
- Seagoon_ ( @Seagoon_@aussie.zone ) 1•26 days ago
Sinwar had UNRWA ID on him when he was killed.
That’s incorrect. The IDF claims that Sinwar had in his possession the passport of an UNRWA teacher. The passport expired in 2017, and its owner is a 40-year-old man who has been in Egypt since April.
I’m not sure how people imagine this to be some kind of smoking gun for UNRWA being a terrorist organisation. No government donors to UNRWA seem to have considered it worthy of taking any action.