The Israeli parliament’s historic decision will prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from delivering aid in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has been met with strong reactions and is raising many questions. Here are some answers. On Monday October 28, a large majority of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) – 92 votes in favour, 10 against – approved two laws banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and prohibiting Israeli officials from communicating with the organisation, effectively blocking its work in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. This legislation is due to come into force within three months. Much of the international community, including Switzerland, humanitarian organisations, and the United Nations (UN) have denounced the decision, pointing to the agency’s key role in delivering aid to Palestinian refugees, particularly in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Why has Israel ...
