{"id":2353264,"date":"2024-10-10T15:03:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T19:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-pushes-to-ban-unrwa-from-operating-inside-its-borders-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-10T15:04:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T19:04:28","slug":"israel-pushes-to-ban-unrwa-from-operating-inside-its-borders-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-pushes-to-ban-unrwa-from-operating-inside-its-borders-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel pushes to ban UNRWA from operating inside its borders &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-pushes-to-ban-unrwa-from-operating-inside-its-borders-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2353264&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses Israel&#8217;s\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-free-fair-and-honest-former-trump-spokesperson-praises-states-new-election-laws\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: \u2018Free, Fair And Honest\u2019: Former Trump Spokesperson Praises States\u2019 New Election Laws\">recent legislative efforts<\/a> to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near\u200d East \u200d(UNRWA) from operating\u200b within its \u200bborders. \u200dU.S. Ambassador to the UN, \u200dLinda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed concern over these developments during a UN Security Council\u2064 briefing, emphasizing that the\u200b proposed legislation could seriously impede UNRWA&#8217;s functions and\u2063 worsen the already strained relationship between \u200dIsrael and the agency. <\/p>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s\u200d decision is partly driven by allegations that UNRWA employees facilitated assistance \u2062to Hamas during the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. While \u200bsome employees \u2064have been confirmed to be involved, the U.S. maintains that UNRWA personnel\u2062 are crucial for humanitarian responses in Gaza despite concerns over issues \u200drelated to Hamas. The articles highlight \u200congoing tensions, with\u2064 comments from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of disastrous consequences if the legislation passes. Additionally, \u200creports of\u200c injuries to UN peacekeepers from Israeli fire in\u200c Lebanon\u200b underscore\u200b the volatile situation in the \u200dregion.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Israel pushes to ban UNRWA from operating inside its borders<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1550766\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>U.S.&nbsp;Ambassador to the United Nations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/linda-thomas-greenfield\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Linda Thomas-Greenfield<\/a> is pushing back on Israel&rsquo;s efforts to stymie the United Nations Relief Works Agency from operating within its borders.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Her comments come days after the Israeli Knesset&rsquo;s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees approved two bills designed to bar the U.N. agency for Palestinians from operating &ldquo;any institution, provide any service, or conduct any activity, whether directly or indirectly,&rdquo; in Israel, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/breaking-news\/article-823377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Jerusalem Post<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are following with deep concern the Israeli legislative proposal that could alter UNRWA&rsquo;s legal status, hindering its ability to communicate with Israeli officials, and removing privileges and immunities afforded to UN organizations and personnel around the globe,&rdquo; Thomas-Greenfield <a href=\"https:\/\/usun.usmission.gov\/remarks-by-ambassador-linda-thomas-greenfield-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-29\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a> during a U.N. Security Council briefing Wednesday. &ldquo;This legislative proposal reflects the significant distrust between Israel and UNRWA.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Israel has alleged that there was widespread aid given by UNRWA employees to Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that instigated the current war. The U.N. has confirmed that a handful of employees participated in the attack or helped hold the hostages Hamas took from Israel and fired those individuals who were still alive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The United States and several other countries passed their funding to UNRWA amid the allegations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Israel has alleged &mdash; and the UN, in some cases, has confirmed &mdash; that a small percentage of UNRWA employees have ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups. Israel has also conveyed concerns about Hamas misusing UNRWA facilities, and the United States shares these concerns,&rdquo; Thomas-Greenfield said. &ldquo;At the same time, we know that UN personnel, including from UNRWA, are vital to the humanitarian response in Gaza and face tremendous danger while performing their work.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>UNRWA fired nine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3111051\/nine-unrwa-employees-may-have-participated-oct-7-attack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>staffers<\/a> over their alleged involvement in the Oct. 7 attack, it announced in August. It was also reported last month that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/09\/30\/world-news\/israeli-strikes-kill-hamas-leader-in-lebanon-and-three-palestinian-leaders-in-beirut\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>suspended UNRWA worker<\/a> Abu el-Amin, who was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, had also been serving as a Hamas commander in the region.<\/p>\n<p>The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said he was unaware that el-Amin was a Hamas commander in Lebanon and noted that he was suspended from his UNRWA position in March. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/unrwa-chief-says-he-did-not-know-suspended-employee-was-hamass-leader-in-lebanon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a> el-Amin had been on administrative leave without pay &ldquo;as soon as UNRWA received information about his possible involvement with Hamas at a senior level&rdquo; and had never been reinstated.<\/p>\n<p>U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the possible effects of the bill if it were to become law as &ldquo;a catastrophe in what is already an unmitigated disaster.&rdquo; Guterres reached out to Israeli Prime Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/benjamin-netanyahu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> about his &ldquo;profound concern.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Two U.N. peacekeepers were also injured Thursday in what it said was fire from an Israeli tank targeting an observation tower at the U.N. Interim Force headquarters in the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL&rsquo;s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are, fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital,&rdquo; UNIFIL said.<\/p>\n<p>UNIFIL is a U.N. peacekeeping mission that was established in 1978.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Today, one year later, the near-daily exchanges of fire have escalated into a relentless military campaign whose humanitarian impact is nothing short of catastrophic,&rdquo; U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, said in a statement. &ldquo;With constant Israeli bombardment now part and parcel of daily life in Lebanon, and Hezbollah launching&nbsp;rocket and missile barrages at Israel, far too many people are paying an unimaginable price &mdash; with many killed, many more wounded, and hundreds of thousands displaced.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>UNIFIL has never implemented the details of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last Israel-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hezbollah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Hezbollah<\/a> war in 2006. The resolution called for Israeli forces that invaded southern Lebanon to withdraw, which they did. It also called for Hezbollah to move north of the Litani River, which is about 18 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border, but that never happened.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There has been a diplomatic push from the Lebanese government to get Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blinken-laments-revelation-of-threat-to-withhold-weapons-from-israel\/\" title=\"Blinken expresses concern over threat to withhold Israeli weapons\">short-term ceasefire deal<\/a> that would allow for more intense diplomacy, but it&rsquo;s unclear if it will be enough to get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/debt-ceiling-news-talks-continue-as-negotiators-close-in-on-a-deal\/\" title=\"Debt ceiling talks ongoing, deal near.\">deal finalized<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3184062\/lebanese-prime-minister-ceasefire-talks-intensified\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a> Thursday his country was open to implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1550766\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1550766\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israel seeks to prohibit UNRWA from operating within its borders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2671,"featured_media":2353265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24115697196768-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[7008,14035,4671,42743,32076],"class_list":["post-2353264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-ban","tag-borders","tag-israel","tag-unrwa","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24115697196768-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2671"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2353264"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353264\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2353265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2353264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2353264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2353264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}