Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We are very close to an agreement in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump: I will most likely go to Egypt.
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba

'Israel' passes bill in first reading to label UNRWA 'terrorist org.'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Jul 2024 05:16
3 Min Read

Palestinian Resistance groups slam the bill approval that aims to "end the Palestinian cause" and the right of return.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli Knesset passes initial vote to label UNRWA a 'terrorist org.'
    Israeli occupation soldiers take up position as they raid the UNRWA headquarters in the Gaza Strip, on Thursday, February 8, 2024. (AFP)

On Monday, the Israeli parliament granted initial approval to a bill that aims to label the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) as a "terrorist organization" and suggests severing ties with the humanitarian agency.

The bill received approval during its first reading in the Knesset. The bill will be sent back to the Israeli "Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee" for additional review and discussion before the final decision is made.

Read more: Documents reveal Israeli harassment of UNRWA workers: The Guardian

Commenting on the Knesset's measure, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma warned that this is "another attempt in a wider campaign to dismantle the agency," adding that "such steps are unheard of in the history of the United Nations."

Palestinian Resistance group Hamas condemned the approval of the bill, saying that the bill seeks "to end the Palestinian cause, foremost the refugee issue."

Hamas called on the international community and the United Nations to "take firm stances against Israel" and protect UNRWA from the occupation's attempts to "eliminate it."

Similarly, the Palestinian al-Mujahideen Movement condemned the bill, describing it as a "Zionist attempt to eliminate one of the legal witnesses to our people's tragedy and their displacement in 1948," asserting that the decision is a "precursor to a new policy of starvation and siege" against the Palestinian people.

Related News

2 years of genocide in Gaza: Death, hunger, and destruction persist

UNRWA details Gaza's two years under war, famine, and displacement

Munther Hayek, spokesperson for Fatah, emphasized that the existence of UNRWA is linked to the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes, and its mandate ends with the implementation of Resolution 194, which stipulates the right of return and compensation.

He also urged the UN and the international community to take a supportive stance for the agency so it can fulfill its role towards the refugees.

Baseless claims

UNRWA was established in the aftermath of the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, and its continuous presence underscores the persistence of the unresolved issues stemming from that struggle.

The Palestinians forcibly displaced in 1948, as well as subsequent Israeli aggressions, remain refugees along with their descendants. This legal designation, upheld by UNRWA's existence and ongoing operations, implies an entitlement to a right of return under international law. 

The organization offers essential services to millions of Palestinians across several regions. This includes providing education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Read more: UNRWA closing eastern al-Quds HQ after arson by 'Israeli extremists'

After accusing hundreds of UNRWA staffers of being affiliated with Resisatnce groups Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the occupation entity failed to provide any evidence to the United Nations.

Following the entity's claims, UNRWA's top donors halted their funding to the humanitarian body. However, with "Israel" not presenting evidence to back its claims, many have since reversed the decision, most recently the United Kingdom.

Read more: A little too late: Damage done by 'Israel's' baseless UNRWA claims

  • UNRWA
  • Palestine
  • Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Israel
  • United Nations
  • West Bank
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS