Ambassador of Israel to United NationsDanny Danon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, officially informed Israel's request for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to cease its operations in Jerusalem and evacuate its buildings by January 30, 2025.
This directive comes in the wake of recent legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset, which terminated Israel's agreements with UNRWA and cited national security concerns.
In a letter addressed to Guterres, Danon explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing “the acute risks to national security posed by the widespread infiltration of UNRWA’s ranks by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.” He also accused the agency of failing to address Israel's long-standing concerns and compromising its “fundamental commitment to neutrality and irreparable impartiality.”
A United Nations vehicle enters UNRWA offices in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Yoav Dudkiewicz/TPS)
president Donald TrumpHe was also one of the harshest critics of UNRWA. Withholding funding So during his first term as president. The United States was previously the largest donor to UNRWA, contributing more than $350 million annually. In March, Congress agreed to cut funding for the controversial agency for a year.
“The Secretary-General has been clear about the need to maintain support for UNRWA, which is the backbone of UN operations in the occupied Palestinian territories,” a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General told Fox News Digital.
Danon's letter said that “months of good faith engagement” with the UN had failed to produce results, accusing UNRWA of abusing its immunity to bypass domestic laws and regulations. He stressed Israel's legal position, stressing that “no country is required to assist and cooperate with an entity that undermines its national security.”
The Israeli army and Shin Bet eliminated the terrorist elite leader of Hamas, Muhammad Abu Aiwi. He was involved in the killing and kidnapping of Israeli civilians on October 7. Eitewi worked for UNRWA, according to the Israelis. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute for Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, told Fox News Digital that the Israeli move is a long time coming. “UNRWA is a cash cow for the United Nations, and also for the so-called Palestinian refugees who – in marked contrast to refugees elsewhere in the world – are supposed to inherit their refugee status as long as the Jews are still there. UNRWA schools have taught generations of Palestinians to hate Jews In their neighbors and spend their lives seeking to eliminate Israel instead of coexisting in peace.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon speaks to the media before a UN Security Council meeting, following a ballistic missile attack on Israel, at UN headquarters in New York City, US, October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Stephanie Spindel
The legislation approved by the Israeli Knesset includes two complementary draft laws that sever all relations between Israel and UNRWA, including ending diplomatic visas and services provided to the agency. The bills received overwhelming support from Knesset members from the coalition and the opposition.
Critics of the legislation, incl Biden administrationShe warned that this could create a humanitarian crisis for millions of Palestinians who depend on UNRWA for education, health care and basic services.
During a UN press conference on Friday, a UN spokesperson responded to questions about the situation, saying: “We are in contact, but we have continued to stress that UNRWA is indispensable.” When asked about contingency plans if the Israeli legislation is implemented, the spokesman said: “We will see what the future holds. Obviously we are doing our best and UNRWA will do its best to continue providing assistance to people under its jurisdiction.” As much as we can.”
Pictures published by the Israeli army show three individuals whom the Israeli army claims are Hamas terrorists inside an UNRWA compound in Rafah. (IDF)
Before publishing the Israeli message. UNRWA spokeswoman They previously told Fox News Digital that they have no plan for ongoing operations once the ban begins.
The spokesman claimed that “UNRWA has the strongest systems in place compared to other UN agencies when it comes to adhering to the principle of neutrality with regard to our programs and staff.”
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In August, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed the possible involvement of UNRWA employees in the October 7 massacre. It was later confirmed that at least nine UNRWA employees had been dismissed after an internal investigation.
Danon called on the United Nations to “put an end to the unprecedented infiltration and abuse by terrorist organizations of the United Nations system” to restore the credibility of the United Nations.
