{"id":2360709,"date":"2024-10-28T18:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-bans-unrwa-from-operating-in-gaza-despite-us-pleas-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-28T18:13:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:13:16","slug":"israel-bans-unrwa-from-operating-in-gaza-despite-us-pleas-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-bans-unrwa-from-operating-in-gaza-despite-us-pleas-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel bans UNRWA from operating in Gaza despite US pleas &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><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-bans-unrwa-from-operating-in-gaza-despite-us-pleas-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=2360709&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\u200b Israeli \u200dparliament has voted to prohibit the \u200bUnited\u2063 Nations \u200cRelief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) from operating within Israel, with \u2062a significant majority of 92 votes in \u200bfavor and only 10\u200b against. \u200dThis decision was influenced \u2063by concerns that UNRWA is \u2063allegedly providing assistance to\u2062 individuals affiliated\u200c with Hamas, a militant group.\u200c The law, which\u2064 has \u200bnot yet been\u200c enforced, has met \u2064with strong backlash from UNRWA, the\u200c United States, and other stakeholders, who argue that it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/palestinian-human-rights-are-not-a-bargaining-chip-rashida-tlaib-confronts-biden-on-tarmac\/\" title=\"\u2018Palestinian Human Rights Are Not A Bargaining Chip\u2019: Rashida Tlaib Confronts Biden On Tarmac\">violates international law<\/a> and undermines humanitarian \u200cefforts for Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n<p>UNRWA&#8217;s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini,\u200b criticized\u200d the parliament&#8217;s vote, stating that it is part of a wider campaign against the agency and will exacerbate the suffering\u2063 of \u200bPalestinians, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian \u2062crisis is severe. The\u2062 organization employs over 12,000 staff in \u200dGaza\u200c to provide essential services\u2064 like food, healthcare, and\u2062 education. However, persistent\u2062 allegations of UNRWA personnel collaborating\u2062 with Hamas \u200bhave led to funding cuts from multiple countries.<\/p>\n<p>An\u2064 investigation by the U.N. Office of\u200b Oversight Services found it could not independently verify some claims\u2064 made by Israel regarding \u2064UNRWA staff involvement in alleged\u200c terrorist \u2062activities. This\u2062 development \u2063adds complexity to the \u200dongoing humanitarian situation and the contentious relationship between Israel and \u200bUNRWA.  <\/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 bans UNRWA from operating within 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_1848031\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Israeli parliament<\/a> has voted to ban the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/refugees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine<\/a> from operating within its borders.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The parliament voted 92-10 in favor of the bill, spurred on by the belief that the organization is providing cover for Hamas-aligned people to aid the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">terrorist cell<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While the law has not been immediately implemented, the announcement of its passage drew strong condemnation from the UNRWA, the United States, and others.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The vote by the Israeli Parliament against UNRWA is unprecedented. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel&rsquo;s obligations under international law,&rdquo; UNRWA claimed in a statement after the vote. &ldquo;Failing to push back against these bills will weaken our common multilateral mechanism. This should be a concern to all.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">United Nations and Red Crescent workers prepare the aid for distribution to Palestinians on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at a UNRWA warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip. (AP Photo\/Hassan Eslaiah)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also reacted to the law, calling it the &ldquo;latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">providing human-development assistance<\/a> and services to Palestine Refugees.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell,&rdquo; Lazzarini said.<\/p>\n<p>UNRWA maintains over 12,000 personnel in Gaza that cater to civilian needs for food, water, healthcare, education, and other humanitarian services. <\/p>\n<p>However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-nations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">U.N. agency<\/a> has been plagued with scandal as multiple members have been accused of or confirmed to be working for Hamas.<\/p>\n<p>More than a dozen countries pulled their funding for UNRWA following accusations in January that approximately 19 UNRWA staff members contributed to the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and sparked the current conflict.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-visits-campaign-donors-construction-project\/\" title=\"Biden Visits Campaign Donor\u2019s Construction Project\">commissioner-general<\/a> of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at the UNRWA headquarters in Beirut. (AP Photo\/Bilal Hussein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The U.N. Office of Oversight Services investigated UNRWA but <a href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2024\/08\/1152841\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reported in August<\/a> that it &ldquo;was not able to independently authenticate information used by Israel to support the allegations&rdquo; in 10 cases.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With respect to the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the 7 October attacks,&rdquo; the watchdog reported.<\/p>\n<p>Since January, all countries that froze funding to UNRWA have resumed contributions &mdash; except the United States. <\/p>\n<p>UNRWA confirmed last week that Muhammad Abu Attawi, a Hamas commander who was documented killing Israelis on Oct. 7 at the Kibbutz Re&rsquo;im, was employed by the agency since 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Israel&rsquo;s decision to ban UNRWA from its territory is in direct disagreement with the U.S. State Department, which has consistently defended the importance of the agency in the region.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have made quite clear to the government of Israel that we are deeply concerned by this proposed legislation,&rdquo; State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday prior to the law&rsquo;s passage.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The spokesman warned that &ldquo;passage of this legislation could have implications under U.S. law and U.S. policy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;UNRWA plays a critical, important role in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-n-agency-announces-investigation-after-israel-provides-information-on-its-employees-alleged-involvement-in-hamas-terrorist-attack\/\" title=\"U.N. agency probes alleged Hamas involvement after Israel shares employee information\">delivering humanitarian assistance<\/a> to civilians who need it in Gaza,&rdquo; Miller continued, stating that the U.S. will &ldquo;consider next steps based on what happens in the days ahead.&rdquo;<\/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_1848031\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1848031\"}});<\/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&#8217;s parliament votes to prohibit UNRWA operations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2360710,"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\/01\/AP23296477888944-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[7008,20083,4671,42743,9029],"class_list":["post-2360709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-ban","tag-gaza","tag-israel","tag-unrwa","tag-us"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AP23296477888944-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2360709","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\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2360709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2360709\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2360710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2360709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2360709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2360709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}