Israel Declares UNRWA Illegal, Bans Operations Nationwide

UNRWA is now officially banned in Israel, with laws prohibiting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency from maintaining a presence, conducting activities, or engaging with Israeli officials taking effect on Thursday.

The move follows Knesset legislation passed in October, after evidence surfaced linking UNRWA staff to Hamas’s October 7 massacre. Despite international pressure, including from the United States, Israel proceeded with the ban, marking the most aggressive action taken against UNRWA in decades.

Israeli officials have long accused UNRWA of fueling terrorism, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel stating:

"UNRWA lies at the heart of the Arab-Jewish conflict. It is a political tool that paved the way for October 7. Any other country would have shut down such an organization within 24 hours."

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Aryeh King marked the occasion by uncorking a bottle of champagne outside UNRWA’s now-closed offices in Ma’alot Dafna, declaring, "It’s a happy, historic day."

At the event, Shai Glick of the B’tsalmo human rights group painted over the UNRWA office sign, calling the agency "a terrorist group."

Israel has identified hundreds of UNRWA employees involved in terrorism, including Faisal Ali Mussalem al Naami, an UNRWA social worker accused of murdering IDF soldier Yonatan Samerano on October 7.

Following Israel’s revelations:

President Donald Trump suspended all U.S. funding to UNRWA on January 20.

Several countries froze contributions to the agency, which operates on a $1 billion annual budget.

On January 30, Israel ordered the UN to evacuate all UNRWA premises.

UNRWA’s policies differ significantly from the global refugee framework. While other refugees lose their status once resettled, Palestinians inherit refugee status indefinitely, ensuring a permanent population tied to the conflict. Critics argue this policy prevents resolution and prolongs Palestinian statelessness.

Despite the ban, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini vowed to continue operations until it becomes physically impossible. However, Israel’s new law could complicate UNRWA’s access to Gaza, Judea, and Samaria, severely impacting its ability to function.

As the world reevaluates support for UNRWA, Israel remains firm in its stance: an organization harboring terrorists has no place within its borders.

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