Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has formally notified UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of Israel’s demand for funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency. Till January 30, 2025.
The directive follows recent legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset that terminates Israel’s agreements with UNRWA, citing national security concerns.
In a letter addressed to Guterres, Danon outlined the reasoning behind the decision, stressing “the acute national security risks posed by the widespread infiltration of UNRWA’s ranks by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.” They also accused the agency of failing to address Israel’s long-standing concerns and compromising its core obligation to impartiality and neutrality beyond repair.
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United Nations vehicle enters UNRWA offices in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, April 2, 2024. (Photo by Yoav Dudkevitch/tps)
President Donald Trump has also been a vocal critic of UNRWA, blocking funding for it during his first term as president. The United States was previously UNRWA’s largest donor, contributing more than $350 million annually. In March, Congress agreed to cut funding to the controversial agency for one year.
A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General told Fox News Digital, “The Secretary-General is clear in the need to maintain support for UNRWA, which is the backbone of UN operations in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
Dannon’s letter stated that “months of good-faith engagement” with the UN had failed to produce results, accusing UNRWA of abusing its immunity to circumvent local laws and regulations . He outlined Israel’s legal position, saying “No state is required to aid and cooperate with an entity that undermines its national security.”
The IDF and ISA eliminated Nukhba commander, Mohammed Abu Etiwi, a Hamas terrorist. He was involved in the killing and kidnapping of Israeli civilians on 7 October. Itivi worked for UNRWA, according to Israel. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Anne Befsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and president of Holocaust and Human Rights Voice, told Fox News Digital that Israel’s move is a long time coming. “UNRWA is a cash cow for the United Nations, and also for Palestinian so-called refugees, who, in marked contrast to refugees everywhere in the world—inherit their refugee status as long as the Jews are still there. Palestinians. “To spend their lives hating the Jews next door and trying to destroy Israel instead of coexisting in peace.”
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Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon speaks to members of the media before a UN Security Council meeting, following a ballistic missile attack on Israel, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, US, October 2, 2024. Reuters/Stephanie Spindell.
The legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset includes two supplementary bills that sever all relations between Israel and UNRWA, including the termination of diplomatic visas and services provided to the agency. The bills received overwhelming support from both coalition and opposition members of the Knesset.
Critics of the law, including the Biden administration, have warned that it could create a humanitarian crisis for millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for education, healthcare and basic services.
During a UN press briefing on Friday, a spokesperson responded to questions about the situation, saying, “We are in touch, but we continue to emphasize the indispensability of UNRWA.” Asked about contingency plans should Israeli law be implemented, the spokesperson said, “We will see what the future brings. Obviously, we are doing our best and UNRWA is providing assistance to people under its mandate. Will try our best to continue to do so, as much as we can.”
Photos released by the Israeli Defense Forces show three individuals that the Israeli military claims are Hamas militants inside a UNRWA compound in Rafah. (IDF)
Before Israel’s letter was made public, a UNRWA spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that they had no plans for ongoing operations once the sanctions began.
The spokesperson claimed that, “UNRWA has one of the strongest systems compared to other UN agencies when it comes to adherence to the principle of neutrality with respect to the programs we carry out and our staff.”
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In August, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed the possible involvement of UNRWA staff in the October 7 massacre. He later confirmed that at least nine UNRWA staff had been fired following an internal investigation.
Danon called on the United Nations to “end the unprecedented infiltration and abuse of a UN organ by terrorist organizations in order to restore the credibility of the United Nations.”
