npr.org
Israel to Cut Ties with UNRWA, Jeopardizing Services for Palestinian Refugees
Israel will sever ties with UNRWA on January 28, 2024, impacting 45,000 West Bank/East Jerusalem students and potentially causing the collapse of essential services for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, sparking humanitarian concerns and raising questions about the future of the agency.
English
United States
UnrwaHamasLikud PartyJohns Hopkins UniversityPalestinian Authority
Rana NabhanPhilippe LazzariniBoaz BismuthPaul SpiegelNooreddin SabaeItaf ShadaHiam HawarinMajida NasrJonathan Fowler
- What are the immediate consequences of Israel severing ties with UNRWA on January 28, 2024?
- On January 28, 2024, Israel will cut ties with UNRWA, potentially impacting 45,000 West Bank and East Jerusalem students and half a million refugees relying on primary healthcare. This action jeopardizes the education and well-being of vulnerable populations, raising serious humanitarian concerns.
- What are the underlying causes and motivations behind Israel's decision to cut ties with UNRWA?
- The decision follows accusations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, though evidence remains unprovided. The move is fueled by long-standing criticism of UNRWA, with claims of perpetuating anti-Israel sentiment and creating dependency. However, critics haven't presented a viable alternative plan for providing essential services.
- What are the long-term implications and alternative solutions concerning the potential collapse of UNRWA services in the West Bank and East Jerusalem?
- Without UNRWA, the West Bank unemployment rate, already at 32% due to the Gaza war, may surge further as UNRWA is the second-largest employer. The absence of healthcare and education will exacerbate existing inequalities, significantly harming the health and future prospects of Palestinians in the region.