Solidarity, emergency legal help for Palestinians

Dear Friends,

Since the war began a year ago, the Israeli government has intensified its racist and discriminatory legislation targeting Palestinians, both citizens of Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) exploiting the war as cover. When the Knesset, Israel's parliament, reconvenes after its summer recess on 27 October 2024, it plans to advance several such bills, which are already in the later stages of the legislative process.

Among the proposed laws are two new bills aimed at shutting down the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the OPT, including in East Jerusalem. These bills would effectively end vital aid to refugees and displaced Palestinians, a move especially egregious in Gaza, where Israel’s ongoing genocidal assault has led to a severe humanitarian catastrophe. On 6 October 2024, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved the bills, which now await final readings in the Knesset Plenum, potentially as early as 28 October 2024. The bills have garnered support from both coalition and opposition members of the Knesset, with a projected majority of at least 100 out of 120 MKs. Earlier this week, Adalah sent a letter to Israel's Attorney General and the Knesset's Legal Advisor outlining its objections to these bills.

One of the bills aims to ban UNRWA from operating within Israel's "sovereign territory," which, if passed, would result in the closure of the organization's headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. This office serves as the central management and administrative hub for its operations across the OPT, and its closure would halt all UNRWA services and activities in East Jerusalem. The second bill seeks to prohibit Israeli authorities from engaging with UNRWA or its representatives, implementing a "no contact" policy. It also stipulates that the agreement between Israel and UNRWA, signed in June 1967, which has enabled the agency's operations and coordination with state authorities, will expire and not be renewed.

UNRWA’s activities in the OPT rely heavily on ongoing coordination with Israeli authorities in all aspects of its operation. This work includes the establishment of operational headquarters, obtaining visas, residence and work permits for staff, coordinating with military authorities on operational matters, such as the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and facilitating the entry and transfer of medicines and essential supplies.

The bills violate international law, including the UN Charter, which requires member states to assist the UN, and which ensures the necessary privileges and immunities for the UN and its representatives to carry out their mandates. 

UNRWA, which started operating in 1950, provides basic services to registered Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The aid organization has long been the target of campaigns by Israeli groups and officials seeking its removal from East Jerusalem. Following allegations that some UNRWA staff (who were fired or who are now dead) were possibly involved in the 7^th of October attacks in Israel, lawmakers are now pushing for further action to shut down UNRWA's operations entirely.

A critical aspect of UNRWA's work is providing shelter, emergency health services and other aid to Palestinians amid the ongoing war on Gaza, which has drastically worsened the humanitarian crisis. Curbing UNRWA's activities in Gaza violates the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the genocide case of South Africa v. Israel. The ICJ ruled that Israel must “take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.” Shutting down UNRWA's operations and blocking essential aid to refugees in Gaza could also constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which criminalizes the deliberate starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.

The proposed bills have drawn widespread criticism from various international actors, including ambassadors from 123 UN member states, the European Council, as well as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

With its legal work, Adalah is calling on Israeli officials and the international community to block this dangerous move that would carry catastrophic consequences for Palestinians.

Your support of Adalah’s work makes these legal battles possible. Thank you for your contribution to Adalah at this very critical time.

In solidarity,

The Adalah team.