Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is pressuring the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in an effort to garner voter support before the upcoming elections in the country. Christian Saunders, the interim head of UNRWA, stated that Israel has created obstacles for the entry of essential goods into Gaza for relief operations while allowing the entry of luxury commercial goods.
Challenges in Providing Aid to Palestinians
Saunders emphasized, "Almost 30 percent of the goods entering are humanitarian aid, and the rest are commercial goods. Some of these can be classified as luxury items. For example, Nutella is not necessary for survival." He also warned that if he cannot make up a $100 million shortfall in the next two months, he will be forced to reduce long-term services to refugees.
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Impact of Elections on Israeli Policies
Saunders believes that the October 27 elections in Israel will exacerbate the challenges facing UNRWA, as "the current government is trying to implement as many of its programs as possible before the elections." Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Israeli government, has emphasized security concerns in his election campaign and is trying to garner public support.
Last month, Israeli forces took control of a vocational training center run by UNRWA for Palestinian refugees in the eastern suburbs of Jerusalem. This action was condemned by Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, following UNRWA's warnings about threats from Israeli officials against the Qalandiya educational center. This center has been providing vocational training to approximately 340 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank since 1952.
Saunders stressed, "We have been providing these services for 76 years, and we will find alternative ways to provide the necessary education for young people." In January, Israel also carried out demolitions at the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem, which the agency described as an "unprecedented attack."
The Netanyahu government has repeatedly accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants and claimed that some of its staff were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that led to the war in Gaza. A law that cuts ties with this agency and bans its activities in Israeli territories will come into effect in January 2025.
