Executive Summary

Intro

• On October 28, 2024, the Israeli Knesset passed two laws that prohibit any interaction with UNRWA (“United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees”) or anyone on its behalf on any “state authority, including entities and other individuals who lawfully holds a public office”,[1] and prohibit any UNRWA activity, including the direct or indirect activity of delegations and services in Israel’s sovereign territory.[2] The legislation does not preclude criminal proceedings vis-à-vis UNRWA employees, including those relevant to the October 7 massacre, the Iron Swords War or any other proceeding as stipulated by the 2016 Counter Terrorism Law.

• These laws come against the backdrop of the exposure of the involvement in the October 7 massacre and in terrorism by UNRWA and its employees, its eternalization of the conflict and the Palestinians’ refugee status, and the fact that it operates under definitions and conditions that are distinct from the UN’s other refugee welfare entitie – UNHCR. UNRWA employees took part in the raid on Israeli territory and the massacre and horrors that took place on October 7, including taking Israeli hostages; concealed weapons in their homes and in structures pertaining to the agency – such as schools; and…