The United States strongly criticised an Israeli legislative proposal that classifies the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a “terrorist organisation.”
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, condemned the bill, stating unequivocally that “UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation.”
Miller urged the Israeli government and Knesset to halt the approval process of this legislation, emphasizing that “attacks on UNRWA are entirely unwarranted” and do not advance the cause of delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
He reiterated Washington’s continued support for the agency’s work.
The Israeli parliament approved the bill in its first reading on Monday, which proposes designating UNRWA as a terrorist entity and suggests severing all relations with the agency.
The bill will undergo further scrutiny before any final decision is made.
UNRWA employs over 30,000 staff members and provides services to approximately 5.9 million Palestinians in the region.
Israel accuses the agency of employing “over 400 terrorists” in Gaza. Following these allegations, which Israel has not substantiated, the US suspended its financial contributions to UNRWA.
US law now prohibits Washington from releasing funds to the agency.
Despite this, several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union, Sweden, Japan, and France, have resumed their financial support to UNRWA.
These contributions underscore international backing for the agency’s humanitarian efforts amid ongoing conflict and political tension.
