Israelʼs foreign ministry made a big move on nov-4th cancelling its long-standing deal with UNRWA (the UNʼs Palestinian refugee aid group) that was working since the late 60s
Last month Israeli lawmakers passed new rules that dont allow UNRWA to work in Israel anymore: the group that helps millions of Palestinians with food education and other stuff in West-Bank and Gaza cant get help from Israeli officials now
UNRWA started working right after the mid-20th century war (when Israel became a country) but Israel has always had issues with them. They say UNRWA makes Palestinians stay refugees forever and doesnt like Israel much. Since the fighting started last fall Danny Danon – Israels UN guy – says Hamas got into UNRWA: “we showed proof to UN about Hamas getting into UNRWA but they didnt do anything about it“
The new rules dont stop UNRWA from working in Palestinian areas which are not part of Israel by world-law but under its control. Still many helper-groups and friendly countries think this will make things worse for people in Gaza who need help – especially since theres been fighting there for about a year
Israelʼs foreign office says theyʼll get other world-groups to do more work; theyre making plans to cut ties with UNRWA and find new ways to help. Some groups will step in but nobody knows how this will work out