Under Israeli Law, UNRWA Is About to Become a Terrorist Organization
“Should it become Israeli law, the terrorist designation would give a domestic legal cover (albeit in violation of international law) for the Israeli regime to attack UNRWA’s staff and infrastructure, as it has already done by murdering close to 200 personnel, but this time without having to seek to justify itself or claim the slaughter of UNRWA’s staffers were ‘tragic mistakes’ whenever it faces criticisms from its allies.” Moncef Khane writes in Al Jazeera. (Jul. 27)
Israeli Parliament Votes to Label UN Relief Agency a Terror Organisation
The Israeli parliament gave preliminary approval to a bill that declares the main UN relief organization for Palestinians a terrorist organization and proposes to sever relations with the body. Reuters reports. (Jul. 22)
*C&SN advocates for the protection of UNRWA, considered a “lifeline” providing critical humanitarian, healthcare, and education services to millions of Palestinian refugees in the region.
House Democrat Pushes to Place Houthis Back on Foreign Terror List
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "I strongly encourage you to consider relisting the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization." Andrew Solender reports for Axios. (Jul. 19)
*Listing the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization would have dire implications for delivering humanitarian aid to populations in need in Yemen. C&SN has previously urged the Biden administration to resist calls to designate the Houthis for this reason, and reiterates this call today.
U.S. Isolated Over UNRWA Funding Freeze After U,K. Restores Support
The U.K. has restored funding to the beleaguered Gaza aid agency UNRWA, leaving the U.S. as the only country refusing to end a freeze imposed after Israeli claims of staff member involvement in last October’s Hamas massacre. Rob Merrick reports for Devex. (Jul. 19)
*Learn more about how you can join C&SN and our partner organizations in supporting UNRWA by endorsing the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 (deadline is Aug. 2) and by contacting your elected officials directly, here.
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