ESCONDIDO, California — The relationship between Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reached a breaking point following staff involvement in the October 7 terrorist attacks and longstanding criticisms of its operations. These events have resulted in Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA from operating within its territories.
In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks on southern Israel, which claimed over 1,400 lives, Israel has been sounding the alarm against UNRWA staff. On August 5, 2024, the United Nations disclosed that UNRWA employees were involved in supporting and facilitating the attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists.
In response to these revelations and broader concerns about UNRWA’s role, the Israeli Knesset enacted legislation on October 28, 2024, banning the agency’s activities within Israeli-controlled territories, including East Jerusalem. The law prohibits Israeli officials from engaging with UNRWA representatives and mandates that the agency vacate its premises in East Jerusalem by January 30, 2025.
At the core of much of the criticism of UNRWA is its unique definition of a “Palestine refugee.” Unlike the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which focuses on resettling and integrating refugees into host countries, UNRWA defines Palestine refugees as individuals whose “normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1, 1946, and May 15, 1948,” and who lost both their home and livelihood due to the 1948 conflict. This definition is extended to their descendants, meaning refugee status is inherited across generations.
As a result, UNRWA currently provides services to over 5.6 million registered refugees. This perpetuates the refugee status indefinitely, exacerbating the conflict. One such refugee is Zahwa Arafat, the daughter of Yasser Arafat. Yasser Arafat, born in Cairo, Egypt, is often credited with creating the Palestinian national identity. His daughter, Zahwa Arafat, born in 1995 to his wife, Suha Arafat, is recognized as a Palestinian refugee under UNRWA definition, despite her father’s Egyptian origins or that she was born and raised in France.
Following Yasser Arafat’s death in 2004, reports indicate that Zahwa inherited a substantial fortune from her father, with estimates of her net worth reaching approximately $8 billion. This wealth is believed to include prime real estate holdings in London and other assets. Despite her considerable personal wealth and her distance from the region, Zahwa remains eligible for assistance from UNRWA due to her status as a registered Palestinian refugee. UNRWA’s support extends beyond its traditional fields of operation. Refugees living outside its defined areas—such as in Europe or North America—can still access services, including maintaining their registration status.
While the United States has historically been one of UNRWA’s largest donors, there has been growing bipartisan skepticism about the agency’s efficacy and neutrality. The Trump administration had previously ceased funding to UNRWA entirely, citing allegations of corruption and ties to terrorism. The Biden administration restored funding, albeit with calls for greater accountability. As of now, U.S. officials have supported Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA in East Jerusalem.
Beyond the October 7 involvement, UNRWA is perpetuating the refugee crisis rather than resolving it. The agency’s schools have been promoting anti-Israel incitement, and some of its facilities in Gaza were used by Hamas for military purposes in conflicts. UNRWA has consistently denied these claims, maintaining that it is a neutral humanitarian organization serving vulnerable populations. This was proven to be untrue after the attack of October 7, 2023.
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Miriam Gershenson is an Israeli American freelance writer based in Escondido.