ICJP

Banning of UNRWA is an egregious but unsurprising aspect of Israel’s genocidal strategy against Palestinians – Israel must be sanctioned

30th October 2024- The Knesset (Israeli parliament)’s decision to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is egregious, but not in the least bit surprising, for a rogue state that has proven time and time again that the systematic disruption of aid provision is not just a product of its genocidal campaign against Palestinians, but a fundamental tool in carrying out the genocide. Israel’s action opposes the UN Charter and violates its obligations under international law. The UK must now implement comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions on senior Israeli government officials.

The use of starvation as a weapon of war is embodied in the Israeli government’s ‘General’s Plan’, reportedly named after Major-General Giora Eiland, who has been reported in Israeli press suggesting that starvation and epidemics were legitimate weapons of war. The implementation of this plan in northern Gaza since October 2024 has been designed to starve out the Palestinian population there. The banning on UNRWA is simply one of many ways in which Israel can further exacerbate the genocide by increasing starvation and malnutrition.

The Head of UNRWA, Phillippe Lazzarini, referred to this action as the latest in Israel’s ongoing campaign to ‘discredit and delegitimise’ the organisation. Earlier this year, Israel proliferated baseless, unsubstantiated claims against UNRWA, alleging that its staff were associated with Hamas; a smear that was wholly discredited following the release of the independent UN-commissioned Colonna Report in April 2024.

The suspension of UNRWA funding by Western countries without including the United Kingdom was rash and unwarranted, considering the lack of evidence to back up the smears. It is relieving that UNRWA funding was restored in July 2024, but this latest assault on UNRWA must be met with actions as well as condemning rhetoric. Israel must be recognised for what it is – a rogue state with no regard for international institutions or crucial UN humanitarian organisations. No other state would be permitted to pass such legislation without facing sanctions and being made a pariah.

It is also crucial to acknowledge the large swathes of support for this bill in the Knesset beyond the government. Whilst criticism of Netanyahu and extremist ministers such as Ben Gvir and Smotrich is valid and important, this focus cannot detract from the institutional manner in which this rogue state is acting. It is beyond concerning that such an egregious bill gained widespread support in the Knesset, with 90 KMs voting in favour of it, compared to only 10 voting against, and only 20 abstentions. Such widespread support for this bill from so many different parties across the Israeli Knesset is emblematic of its status as a rogue state.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

  1. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law. 
  2. For more information, to arrange an interview with an ICJP spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at press@icjpalestine.com.