A bill designating the UNRWA a terrorist organization passed a preliminary reading 42-6 in the Knesset today (29th). Called the “Bill to Abolish the Immunity and Privileges of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),” the measure, upon passing a final reading, will eliminate UNRWA employees’ immunities and privileges; and Israel will cut ties with the organization. Such privileges include “immunity from legal action, exemption or discount from taxes and local taxes, exemption from import or export bans, and exemption from income tax.”
The bill’s preliminary passing follows evidence of UNRWA’s involvement in Hamas’s crimes during the October 7 massacre in Israel and after. Hamas weapons and shelters were found under UNRWA facilities, which supplies electricity to Hamas’s underground operations. An estimated 1,200 UNRWA workers are linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
UNRWA’s terrorism links have been clearly evident for a long time. If this bill becomes law, it will represent tangible progress toward handicapping an organization that enables Israel’s terrorist enemies to carry out savage attacks on the Jewish nation. Far from a diplomatic, peacekeeping body, the UNRWA perpetrates the kind of conflict and violence the UN is responsible for curbing. Exposing the agency’s sinister activities is critical and will be furthered through this bill.
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