The US blasted legislation passed by the Knesset on Monday that targets the UN relief agency UNRWA for Palestinian refugees, arguing that it risks “catastrophe” for millions of Palestinians and urging Jerusalem to hold off on implementing the laws.
The two bills overwhelmingly passed through final votes ban UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory and bar Israeli authorities from any contact with the agency.
The legislation will shutter UNRWA’s operations in East Jerusalem where it provides education, health and civil services to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. It will also severely curtail UNRWA activities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank where the agency relies on coordination with Israel to provide humanitarian aid and other services, Times of Israel reported.
Israel has long had a combative relationship with UNRWA, which it argues has perpetuated the Palestinian refugee crisis by allowing the status to be passed down through generations.
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