Israel enacted a law on Monday that prohibits the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating within its borders, a move that could impact its operations in Gaza.
According to a report by Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily, the Knesset approved the law in its second and third readings, citing suspicions that some UNRWA staff were involved in the massacres carried out by Hamas on October 7 of last year.
The vote concluded with 92 out of 120 Knesset members in favor of the ban, while 10 opposed it. The legislation is set to take effect in 90 days.
Under this new law, which has several Knesset sponsors including Boaz Bismuth, Sharren Haskel, and Eli Dellal, UNRWA will be prohibited from operating any institutions, providing services, or conducting activities—whether directly or indirectly—on Israeli territory.
Additionally, the law stipulates that UNRWA’s operations in East Jerusalem will cease, transferring responsibility and control to Israel. A separate bill, backed by Knesset members Ron Katz, Yulia Malinovsky, and Dan Illouz, was also approved, mandating that Israel sever all ties with UNRWA, including any cooperation or privileges the agency previously enjoyed.
These new laws annul the 1967 agreement that permitted UNRWA to operate in Israel, effectively terminating its activities and prohibiting contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA employees. The legislation further indicates that UNRWA staff will no longer be eligible for diplomatic visas.
As a result of these laws, Israel’s foreign and interior ministries will stop issuing entry visas for UNRWA employees, Israeli customs will no longer manage the agency’s imported goods, and tax exemptions previously granted will be revoked. UNRWA will also lose the diplomatic status and immunity it has held since 1967, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
On July 22, the Knesset had already passed the initial reading of a bill aimed at preventing UNRWA from operating in Israel and stripping its employees of their diplomatic immunity.
