Stephen writes to Israeli Ambassador to protest Israeli Parliament’s ban of unrwa
Yesterday, 28 October, Israel’s parliament voted to ban the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) from operating in Israel or communicating with Israeli officials. Stephen wrote to the Israeli ambassador today to protest these plans and ask how Israel will ensure aid reaches Palestinians.
Photo by Joel Muniz | @jmuniz via Unsplash
UNRWA is the largest aid agency in Gaza. It employs over 13,000 people and operates more than 150 permanent and temporary shelters and 80 mobile health teams. It provides education, healthcare, and shelter to many Gazans: around two million people depend on its support.
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, voted yesterday to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel or contacting Israeli officials. The vote follows allegations that employees of UNRWA were involved in the 7 October terror attacks against Israel. However, the Israeli military controls all crossings into Gaza, meaning UNRWA has to communicate with Israeli officials to transport aid.
Stephen wrote to the Israeli ambassador today to protest the Knesset’s ban. He pointed out that it would severely hamper UNRWA’s vital work, putting many Palestinian’s lives at risk.
“The Israeli Prime Minister himself said that ‘sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza,’” Stephen said about his letter. “It is absurd to think this is possible if UNRWA is undermined. I hope the Israeli Government will see sense and allow UNRWA to continue operating.”
You can read Stephen’s letter to the ambassador here.