Switzerland expresses concern about UNRWA decision
Published: Tuesday, Oct 29th 2024, 02:40
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Switzerland has expressed its concern about Israel's decision to ban the work of the Palestinian relief organization UNRWA. It is concerned about the humanitarian, political and legal implications of this decision, according to a statement issued by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Tuesday on the short message service X.
The Israeli parliament approved a controversial bill by an overwhelming majority that prohibits the organization from operating on Israeli territory. This means that the organization can hardly continue its operations in the Palestinian territories because Israel controls the border crossings.
In the 120-seat Israeli parliament, 92 members of the government and the opposition voted in favor of the plan. It provides for massive restrictions on the work of the Palestinian relief organization. A second bill, which prohibits any contact between Israeli authorities and UNRWA, was also approved by a majority of 87 MPs. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and important Western allies of Israel had clearly spoken out against the plans.
Amendments to the law come into force within 90 days
Israel accuses the organization of some of its employees having been involved in terrorist activities. "UNRWA equals Hamas," said MP Boaz Bismuth from the right-wing conservative ruling party Likud, one of the initiators of the first law, after its approval.
Authorities in Israel are to be banned from having any contact with the organization as soon as the changes come into force. This is to happen within 90 days of the law being published. The aid organization would have to cease all activities on Israeli territory - this primarily affects the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem. During this time, Israel hopes to find a replacement for UNRWA.
UNRWA hit the headlines in January because Israel claimed that twelve of its employees were involved in the massacre on 7 October and that the organization as a whole had been infiltrated by Hamas. An audit report by independent experts later concluded that UNRWA had established "robust" mechanisms to uphold its principle of neutrality. However, there was room for improvement.
There were furious debates in parliament before the vote. One Arab MP spoke of a "fascist law". The aim was the continued oppression of the Palestinian people. The initiators reacted with loud shouting, one MP had to be removed from the chamber after several warnings.
Guterres: Disaster in an already complete disaster
UN Secretary-General Guterres had spoken out clearly against the plan. He warned that such a law would "stifle" efforts to alleviate human suffering and tensions in the Gaza Strip - as well as in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. "It would be a catastrophe in what is already a complete disaster." There are fears of dramatic consequences for around two million people in the embattled Gaza Strip in particular, who are dependent on vital aid from UNRWA.
According to the media, representatives of the Israeli Foreign Ministry had also expressed concerns about the practical consequences. In the worst case scenario, Israel could be expelled from the United Nations. However, the USA could prevent this with a veto in the Security Council.
UNRWA responsible for almost six million refugees
The United Nations founded UNRWA in 1949 to help Palestinian refugees. Palestinians who fled or were expelled during the wars of 1948 and 1967, as well as their descendants, are entitled to its services. According to the organization, this now amounts to around 5.9 million people. The aid organization is also active in Jordan and Lebanon, among other places.
UNRWA has more than 30,000 employees, most of whom are Palestinians. In the Gaza Strip alone, the aid organization employs around 13,000 people. Most of them are refugees themselves with their own fate in the Middle East conflict.
The organization provides Palestinian refugees with basic services such as education and healthcare. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, it has also provided accommodation for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and humanitarian aid.
German funds increased
In June, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced in Israel that Germany was increasing aid for the people in Gaza by 19 million euros. With the additional funds, German humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territories has risen to 312 million euros since last year.
The support focuses on medical resources and food aid. Other funds are being used for the evacuation of injured people, medical teams, psychosocial support and hygiene measures.
Western allies had warned Israel about UNRWA ban
Seven Western countries had expressed their "deep concern" about the legislative plans shortly before the Knesset's decision. In a statement, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea "emphatically" called on the Israeli government to fulfill its international obligations.
UNRWA's prerogatives must not be restricted and humanitarian aid and basic supplies for the civilian population must continue to be made possible. The ministers emphasized that UNRWA had taken steps to dispel accusations of support for terrorist organizations by individual employees.
Palestinians: Law is a breach of international law
The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank sharply criticized the Knesset's decision. The law violates international law, said a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The aim was to "eliminate" the issue of Palestinian refugees. This would not be allowed. He called Israel a "racist state" that must be removed from international organizations.
Luise Amtsberg, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, also condemned Israel's decision. "If the laws were implemented by the Israeli government in this form, it would effectively make UNRWA's work in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem impossible," she said. This would be a "dangerous signal of disregard for the United Nations and international cooperation".
Netanyahu: UNRWA perpetuates Palestinian refugee problem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had repeatedly called for the aid organization to be abolished altogether. He justified this by saying that the organization perpetuates the problem of Palestinian refugees and "the idea of a right of return with the aim of destroying the state of Israel".
©Keystone/SDA
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