Israel’s ban on UNRWA is an illegal attack on humanitarian aid

Amnesty International Australia denounces Israel’s illegal ban of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) that comes into effect today, an action that will put millions of Palestinians at immediate risk.

The Israeli Knesset’s decision to force UNRWA out of the Occupied Palestinian Territory by January 30 is a flagrant violation of international law. The ban directly contravenes the Conventions on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which guarantee that UN premises must be respected and that UNRWA properties and assets are immune from any form of interference.

The international community, including Australia must protect and defend UNRWA from Israel’s illegal actions against the agency. Amnesty International Australia urges all states to demand that the Israeli authorities urgently overturn the ban and allow UNRWA unimpeded delivery of its crucial humanitarian mandate to support Palestinians.

This reckless order and assault threatens the survival of two million Palestinians in Gaza and cuts off critical health, humanitarian and education services for another one million Palestinians across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

For 76 years, UNRWA has been a lifeline to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in neighbouring countries. It provides humanitarian aid, food, shelter, education and other social services. Over the last 15 months, UNRWA has become a lifeline for 2 million people in Gaza. It was the sole lifeline offering indispensable humanitarian aid for Palestinians living under Israel’s genocide. Since the ceasefire began, UNRWA has been the backbone of humanitarian aid, supplying 60% of the food entering Gaza, reaching more than half a million people. They conduct 17,000 medical consultations every day.

UNRWA’s core mandate is the Palestinian right of return, making it a long-standing target of Israeli attempts to attack and delegitimise the agency since its inception.

“Now more than ever, UNRWA must continue its operations in providing a safe future and in providing a lifeline to Palestinians across the territory, for which it has been doing for 76 years. The international community, including Australia, must protect and defend UNRWA. Palestinians depend upon it.”

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory’s Spokesperson

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory’s Spokesperson says:

“Israel’s illegal ban on UNRWA contravenes international law and criminalises humanitarian aid. It will be devastating for the lives and future of Palestinians in Gaza following the ceasefire. They are in desperate need of humanitarian support and essential services as they begin to rebuild their lives.”

“Now more than ever, UNRWA must continue its operations in providing a safe future and in providing a lifeline to Palestinians across the territory, for which it has been doing for 76 years. The international community, including Australia, must protect and defend UNRWA. Palestinians depend upon it.”

Background

Founded in 1949, UNRWA has provided food, shelter, education, and emergency aid to Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territory and neighbouring countries. Its mandate includes the right of Palestinian refugees to return. At a time when Israel, as the occupying power, continues to violate its obligations towards Palestinian refugees, UNRWA remains the only organisation capable of delivering large-scale, essential humanitarian assistance.

In March 2024, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the reinstatement of $6 million in emergency aid to UNRWA for Gaza. In October 2024, the Australian Foreign Minister’s Office expressed grave concern over Israel’s legislative efforts to strip UNRWA of its privileges and immunities, forbid Israeli state entities and officials from engaging with the agency, and prohibit any UNRWA presence within Israel.

In his address to the UN Security Council, UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillippe Lazzarini condemned Israel’s ban as a relentless assault on humanitarian aid, warning that it defies UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and flouts the rulings of the International Court of Justice.

Want to make headlines?

AUSTRALIA: RAISE THE REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN INTAKE