PROTEST THE BANNING OF UNRWA!

February 15, 2025
Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council

Meant to be a temporary provider of public services for the sustenance of Palestinian refugees until “resolution of their situation,” the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has relieved Israel of meeting the basic needs of citizens of the occupied Palestinian territories and has also advocated for their human rights since 1949. 

“UNRWA human development and humanitarian services encompass primary and vocational education, primary health care, relief and social services, refugee camp rehabilitation infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency response, including in situations of armed conflict.” Currently 5.9 million people are registered with UNRWA; 543,000 children are enrolled in UNRWA schools, 1.9 million receive health care in UNRWA facilities, and 400,000 benefit from UNRWA’s relief and social welfare safety net (UNRWA Strategic Outcomes and Statistics Bulletin, accessed 1/8/25). 

On October 29, 2024, the Israeli Knesset passed laws banning UNRWA from Israel and forbidding any interaction between UNRWA and the Israeli government. These laws took effect January 29, 2025. That same day, Republican Representative Christopher Smith introduced a ban on US contributions to UNRWA to reinforce Israeli law. 

There is no indication that Israel plans to take responsibility or contract with another organization to replace UNRWA’s vital services. The banning of UNRWA and even its capacity to help implement a transition to another agency spells catastrophe for Palestinians. Given the conduct of the IOF and the inflammatory comments of right-wing Israeli politicians, it has become hard to imagine any Israeli intention besides the abandonment, starvation, and destruction of the Palestinian people.

UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma has declared that UNRWA will continue operations. “We plan to stay in Gaza and work as long as we can until we can’t. It will be a disaster if the bill is implemented.” (Axios 1/8) UN Secretary-General Guterres has refused to discuss alternative UN assistance with the Israeli government, stating, “There is currently no realistic alternative to UNRWA which could adequately provide the services and assistance required.” (Axios 1/8). UNRWA has continued to function in spite of the ban, although supplies are scarce since Israel continues to block aid. 

The unimaginable suffering that would result from laws banning UNRWA must be made real to our electeds and to the US public, whose taxes fuel the Israeli war effort. As health care workers in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in urgent support of their very survival, we must do everything possible to condemn and prevent the implementation of the Israeli laws against UNRWA, You can join  rallies and demonstrations, contacting national and state representatives and officials, writing letters and opinion pieces to the media, and speaking out wherever possible – in our workplaces, in our professional associations, and with our friends and families. 

Check out the UNRWA Digital Media Toolkit for actions: https://www.unrwausa.org/hands-off-unrwa