Israel’s UNRWA Ban Puts the U.S. and Palestinians in a Bind

In an unprecedented move, the Israeli government passed a sweeping ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on October 28. The decision will have a profound impact on humanitarian efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), harming everything from food aid to education services. In the shadow of increasing international pressure on Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, such an act will further harm Israel’s reputation while immediately placing its allies in a difficult position—one that could force their hand in defense of the international system and Palestinian lives.

The decision to ban the UN agency was the culmination of a long-running campaign by the Israeli government, accusing UNRWA of prolonging the conflict and being infiltrated by terrorists. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, those criticisms expanded, with Israel identifying UNRWA as a terrorist organization indistinguishable from Hamas. The agency rejects these claims—including accusations that 10 percent of its workforce are members of the terror organization.

Read article in The National Interest