Israel Demands UN Palestinian Agency To Leave Jerusalem, Gives Ultimatum 

Israel Demands UN Palestinian Agency To Leave Jerusalem, Gives Ultimatum 

On Friday, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations declared that the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees must conclude its operations and vacate its facilities in Jerusalem by January 30, 2025.

In defiance of global apprehensions, Israeli lawmakers recently enacted legislation that prohibits the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from functioning in Israel and East Jerusalem, an area annexed by Israel after the 1967 Six-Day War.

Reports indicate that Israel has intensified its criticism of the agency, especially since the onset of the current conflict.

This includes allegations suggesting that some of the 13,000 employees of UNRWA in Gaza were involved in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

In a communication directed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Ambassador Danny Danon emphasized that UNRWA must halt its activities in Jerusalem and vacate all its facilities in the city by the specified date.

UNRWA is regarded as a fundamental element of humanitarian efforts for Palestinians, providing assistance to around six million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

East Jerusalem has traditionally served as the agency’s administrative center, where it also manages schools and healthcare facilities.

Additionally, Israel has enacted a law prohibiting interactions between Israeli officials and UNRWA, although its parliament has not formally barred the agency from operating in Gaza or the West Bank.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini cautioned that sidelining the agency could threaten the ceasefire in Gaza, further diminishing the hopes of those who have already endured immense hardship.

“The work of UNRWA must continue in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territory,” he said on social media platform X late Friday.