Israel’s parliament approved in a final vote of 92 to 10 two bills to block the activity in Israeli-controlled areas of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), which serves Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.

The first bill states that UNWRA will no longer “operate any institution, provide any service or conduct any activity, either directly or indirectly, in Israel.

The second bill states that the treaty between Israel and UNWRA, signed after the Six-Day War in 1967, will expire seven days after the bill is passed by the full Knesset. Also, no Israeli government agency or representative is allowed to contact UNWRA or its representative beginning three months after the bill is passed.

The same bill states that criminal proceedings for UNWRA employee involvement in terrorist acts will continue; and that Israel’s National Security Council should report to the committee every six months on the implementation of the bill.

USA: UNRWA’s role is irreplaceable

The US has made clear to Israel that it is deeply concerned about the possibility of a ban on the UN aid agency’s activity in the Gaza Strip, as it plays an irreplaceable role in providing humanitarian aid to the enclave, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday.

Speaking at a daily briefing, Miller said that humanitarian aid is not reaching people in Jabalia in northern Gaza, where the Israeli army has stepped up operations, and that Washington will not accept that.