Outcry as Israeli parliament approves bill declaring UN relief agency 'terrorists' [View all]
Source: The Independent
The Israeli parliament on Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill declaring a UN relief agency working for Palestinian refugees a terrorist organisation.
The bill, sponsored by Israeli politician Yulia Malinovsky, accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of acting as a fifth column within Israel. The bill claimed many of UNRWAs staff were members of terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, though no evidence was provided.
UNRWA, which offers essential services to millions of Palestinians, has faced increasing opposition from Israel, which has called for its dissolution.
This vote marks a significant escalation in Israels efforts to dismantle the agency, despite international pushback and some donor countries resuming funding, in the wake of Hamass 7 October surprise attack that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. UNRWA suspended 12 workers accused of taking part in the attack.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-parliament-un-palestine-gaza-terrorists-b2584168.html