Statement on Israel’s Decision to Ban UNRWA

Since almost the inception of the State of Israel, the refugee agency UNRWA has played a pivotal and fateful role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA has unequivocally and uniquely perpetuated the refugee status of Palestinians, thus justifying its own existence. Over the years, UNRWA has embedded itself within the terror apparatus that has fought against Israel for decades.

UNRWA leaders established schools where children were taught from a young age to hate Israel. They aided in the recruitment of child soldiers from among Gaza’s residents and supported the recruitment of children to work as laborers building the extensive tunnel networks in Gaza, aimed at creating a dangerous additional channel in the war of annihilation against Israel. UNRWA has prevented Gaza residents from achieving development and self-determination, doing everything possible to cement their status as refugees and victims rather than empowering them and helping them grow to become contributing citizens of society.

In doing so, UNRWA has been the primary driver of Gaza’s entrenched poverty, lack of progress, and lack of development.

The State of Israel has put an end to this dangerous framework by enacting an important law that will prevent UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory. ICAN stands with Israel in its fight against terrorism, even when that battle is sometimes conducted through legislative measures.