Draft bill designating UNRWA as ‘terrorist organization’ passes first reading at Israeli Knesset

An Israeli Knesset’s draft bill designating the United Nations Relief Agency, UNRWA, as a terrorist organization has passed the first reading, WAFA News Agency reported.

The Knesset voted overwhelmingly in favor of the draft bill.

After passing the first reading, the bill still needs to pass the second and third readings (in one session) to become effective. This bill comes as part of the Israeli occupation’s continued attacks on the UN agency in an attempt to end the issue of the Palestinian refugees.

On May 29, the Israeli Knesset approved, in a preliminary reading, a draft law labeling UNRWA as a terrorist organization.

Palestinian reactions

Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein al-Sheikh said the Israeli Knesset’s decision to classify UNRWA as a terrorist organization is an Israeli disregard for the international community and its international organizations.

“We affirm that the Israeli occupation is the ugliest form of terrorism practiced daily against the Palestinian people,” he said in a post on his official X account.

“The Knesset’s decision towards an international humanitarian organization must be faced with an international position that supports this organization politically, financially and morally so that it can continue its humanitarian and moral role towards a people who are victims of the Israeli occupation.”

For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates slammed the passing of a draft bill as a flagrant violation of the Palestinian refugees issue and their fundamental right to return, in accordance with UN resolutions.

It also condemned this decision as a clear violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2730 adopted on May 4, 2024, which obliges states to respect and protect United Nations institutions and humanitarian workers, stressing that this resolution applies to UNRWA, its institutions and personnel.

Edited by Hamda Mustafa