The Israeli Knesset today gave final approval to a controversial bill that mandates cutting off electricity and water supplies to the offices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The legislation is set to take effect immediately.
According to reports, the bill passed with a majority of 59 Knesset members voting in favor, while 7 voted against. The passage marks the culmination of a process that began in November when the Knesset initially approved the bill and referred it to the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee for further review.
During today’s session, Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen defended the decision, alleging that UNRWA served as an “executive arm” of Hamas. He further stated that an organization that “operates as a breeding ground for incitement and murder” should not be allowed to continue its operations. Cohen also launched a scathing attack on Arab members of the Knesset who opposed the law, branding them a “fifth column” and asserting that they have “no place in the Israeli Knesset.”
In October 2024, the Knesset had already finalized a ban on UNRWA’s activities within Israel, citing alleged involvement of some of its employees in the events of October 7, 2023. Israel maintains that UNRWA staff participated in the operation, an accusation the agency has repeatedly denied. The United Nations has affirmed UNRWA’s commitment to impartiality.
The decision comes at a time when the need for UNRWA’s services is particularly acute. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in dire conditions. This is after two years of conflict, impacting the population in the region.
This is a developing story.
