Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This biased resolution was adopted as part of the 10th Emergency Special Session on Israel to promote the false narrative that UNRWA is the "backbone" of the humanitarian response in Gaza and is "irreplaceable." It "deplores" the Israeli legislation effectively banning UNRWA's operations in the West Bank and Gaza.
• In line it with its false narrative, the resolution ignores all of the criticisms of UNRWA, including that 10% of its senior educational staff in Gaza are members of Hamas and PIJ, the terrorist incitement taught in UNRWA schools and promoted by its teachers on social media, the fact that the head of UNRWA's Lebanon teachers' union was also the Hamas leader in Lebanon, and Hamas's practice of using UNRWA facilities for its military operations. The resolution merely alludes to the participation of nine staff members in the October 7th atrocities in the context of praising UNRWA for firing them and fails to acknowledge any other violations by its staff.
• Instead of admitting UNRWA's failures, the resolution criticizes those raising legitimate concerns about UNRWA as "attempts to discredit the agency."
• Moreover, while the resolution expressly criticizes Israel for military attacks on UNRWA facilities, killing UNRWA personnel, and hindering UNRWA's operations, it omits any mention of Hamas violations in this regard. A handful of general calls to "all parties" to abide by their obligations do not qualify as holding Hamas accountable.
• Likewise, the resolution does not mention the vast amounts of aid facilitated into Gaza by Israel and the humanitarian aid operations of other UN agencies and NGOs within Gaza which far outpaced UNRWA since October 7th and undermine the false narrative of this resolution.

Main Sponsors

Algeria, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar, Palestine

Vote

Yes - 159, No - 9, Abstain - 11, Absent - 14

See Full Vote

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Condemning the killing, injury and detention contrary to international law of Agency staff, the attacks affecting its facilities in the Gaza Strip and its compound in occupied East Jerusalem, and incitement against the Agency, and demanding the cessation of all such actions."
• "Deploring the endangerment of the safety of the Agency’s staff and the unprecedented high number of casualties inflicted on Agency personnel in the Gaza Strip by military attacks, any breaches of the inviolability of United Nations premises, and the damage and destruction caused to the facilities and properties of the Agency."
• "Deeply concerned about the continuing imposition of restrictions on the freedom of movement and access of Agency personnel, vehicles and goods, the injury, harassment and intimidation of the Agency staff, and denial of entry visas to Agency staff, which undermine and obstruct the work of the Agency."
• "Deeply concerned also about attempts to discredit the Agency, as well as attempts to undermine and terminate its operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."
• "Deplores the legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset on 28 October 2024, and calls upon the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of the Agency and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip…"
• "Emphasizes in particular that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East remains the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza, and affirms that no organization can replace or substitute the Agency’s capacity and mandate to serve Palestine refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance."
• "Strongly warns against any attempts to dismantle or diminish the operations and mandate of the Agency…"
• "Also demands that Israel respect the mandate of the Agency and its privileges and immunities and act forthwith to enable its operations to proceed without impediment or restriction in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem…"
• "Reiterates its demand that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law…"
• "Calls upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in all aspects and to ensure the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its installations and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem…"
• "Underscores the imperative of reparations, in accordance with international law, for all losses, damage and destruction sustained by the Agency…"