The gravity of Israel’s ban on UNRWA

The gravity of Israel’s ban on UNRWA

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was this week ordered to stop its operations in occupied East Jerusalem, three months after Israel’s parliament voted to ban it.

UNRWA is the main provider of humanitarian aid and other public services for Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, it runs 12 facilities that provide critical public services, including schools where more than 1,200 children are enrolled and free clinics that serve more than 70,000 people.

But the impact of the ban would extend across the West Bank as well, where the organisation offers primary healthcare services and 47,000 children go to UNRWA schools. The move would also affect its work in Gaza. During Israel's war on the enclave, up to a million people at a time have sought refuge in UNRWA shelters.

Pressure from the international community and pleas by UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini at the UN Security Council to stop the ban from being put into effect have failed so far. Israel insisted the ban would not be reversed and the US backed its “sovereign decision”, saying UNRWA is not the only provider of aid to Palestinians.

Despite the legislation, UNRWA has stated it will continue to do its work for as long as it can, but fears are growing that the ban will have far-reaching consequences.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to Tamara Alrifai, UNRWA's director of external relations and communications, about the toll this could take on Palestinians in dire need of humanitarian assistance, and how the agency will be able to carry out its work going forward.

Jaksot(476)

Why has it become so hot in Europe?

Why has it become so hot in Europe?

Millions of people across Europe are feeling the intensity of extreme weather as a relentless heatwave sweeps across the continent. Pavements have radiated heat, forcing people to retreat indoors to e...

20 Heinä 202315min

On World Population Day, how science can help people live longer and longer

On World Population Day, how science can help people live longer and longer

Every year on July 11, the world observes World Population Day, designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about global population issues. It serves as a reminder of the significant challenge...

11 Heinä 202319min

How the killing of a teenager exposed a fault-line through France

How the killing of a teenager exposed a fault-line through France

France has entered a second week of unrest, after riots triggered by the police killing of a teenager of North African descent spread across the country. Seventeen-year-old Nahel M, from the Parisian ...

5 Heinä 202314min

Hajj - A journey of faith and self-discovery

Hajj - A journey of faith and self-discovery

Hajj falls during Dhu Al Hijja, the 12th month in the Islamic calendar. The annual pilgrimage itself is fard, meaning mandatory, for every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim, at least once in ...

26 Kesä 202310min

World Refugee Day - The voices of resilience

World Refugee Day - The voices of resilience

110 million: that is the number of people who have been forcibly displaced around the world due to persecution, conflict, violence and human rights abuse. This record level has been reached amid ongoi...

20 Kesä 202313min

Why Lebanon can’t elect a new president

Why Lebanon can’t elect a new president

On June 14, Lebanon's parliament failed again to agree on a new president. The position has been vacant for eight months, since the end of Michel Aoun’s term. Neither of the two candidates made it thr...

16 Kesä 202320min

What can India do to avoid another train tragedy?

What can India do to avoid another train tragedy?

At least 288 people were killed and hundreds injured in the deadly crash that happened in Odisha. It jolted India. News crews rushed to the accident spot in Balasore to find mangled train coaches ramm...

9 Kesä 202312min

What does Erdogan’s win mean for Turkey and the world?

What does Erdogan’s win mean for Turkey and the world?

Nato, Sweden, F16s, inflation and refugees. What do they all have in common? Erdogan and Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the run-off election on May 28, defeating Kemal Kilicdaroglu. On thi...

1 Kesä 202314min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rikosmyytit
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
linda-maria
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kuka-mina-olen