UNRWA Ban Looms: Catastrophe for Palestinian Refugees
Pressing her face to the blue bars of a pharmacy window, Fatmeh Jahaleen pleaded for extra boxes of medication. Relying on the pharmacy inside an East Jerusalem clinic run by the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, for a monthly supply of vital medicines, she faces a daunting future.
“Where am I supposed to get my medicine? This would cost me 400 [Israeli shekels – £90] a month otherwise. We can’t afford that; we are refugees,” she said, her voice tinged with desperation.
In addition to medications, Jahaleen needs regular blood tests costing another 150 shekels (£30) every three months. Her eye treatments, previously covered by UNRWA, are also at risk. Across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, a looming disaster threatens as a ban imposed by Israel’s parliament is set to take effect at the end of this month.
An UNRWA worker locks the gate of a clinic in Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem.
Photograph: Quique Kierszenbaum/The Guardian
When the Israeli parliament passed the bill to ban UNRWA in October, Fathi Saleh, the director of services for Shuafat refugee camp on the outskirts of Jerusalem, found hundreds of panicked individuals seeking clarification on the implications. “Cutting the services we provide is like cutting the oxygen supply to people here,” he emphasized. “It will devastate them.”
Saleh, who grew up in the camp and now oversees schools, medical services, and sanitation workers, wonders what awaits him on February 1st. The ban could mean a red seal on his office door, blocked entry, or even the presence of Israeli security forces.
For now, Saleh reassures those seeking answers that UNRWA will continue its health services, schooling, and rubbish collection until compelled to stop.
The Threat to Daily Life
The Shuafat refugee camp houses tens of thousands of people in a 2 sq km area, densely packed into squat tower blocks. The camp’s streets are lined with electricity cables, and it is surrounded by high concrete barriers, a watchtower, and a checkpoint.
Saleh fears that the accumulation of 20-25 tonnes of rubbish daily could quickly turn into a catastrophic environmental and health hazard if UNRWA trucks are unable to remove the waste.
Within days, the camp would be overwhelmed with hundreds of tonnes of refuse, posing severe health risks to its inhabitants.
Impact of Recent Attacks
The attacks by Hamas militants in October 2023 marked a significant shift in Israel’s stance towards UNRWA. Israeli officials long criticized UNRWA, questioning its involvement and potential ties to Hamas.
An investigation into 19 UNRWA staff members led to the sacking of nine employees accused of involvement in the attacks, according to UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Signs at the clinic, one reading ‘no weapons are authorised within these premises’.
Photograph: Quique Kierszenbaum/The Guardian
Israel’s hardline right wing hailed the ban as a victory, viewing UNRWA as a terrorist organization. The ban stipulates a complete cessation of communication between Israeli institutions and UNRWA.
Last week, the Israeli government ordered UNRWA to vacate its offices by January 30th, while one rightwing deputy mayor called for protests outside the premises.
Consequences for Gaza and Other Areas
The UNRWA commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, addressed the UN security council, highlighting the impact on 70,000 patients and over 1,000 students in East Jerusalem alone. In Gaza, where UNRWA is the largest aid organization, services to over 2 million people are at risk.
The Shuafat camp, located on Israeli territory, poses unique challenges as the municipality would need to assume several UNRWA roles. According to Saleh, no contingency plans have been communicated to the camp community.
Suad Shwefi, aged 67, voiced concerns for her grandchildren’s education, still halfway through the school year. The situation is dire, with no clear path forward.
Alternative Arrangements
The Jerusalem municipality claims they are prepared with contingency plans to absorb 650 students into other schools. They also plan to expand rubbish collection services to include the camp and offer limited access to family care centers.
However, the legitimacy and sufficiency of these plans remain uncertain.
Experiences of UNRWA Staff
UNRWA nurses and administrators have faced increasing hostility at checkpoints. Previously, UNRWA cards were respected without question, but now they face hindrances and extra checks.
“On February 1st, we will come to work; there is no other option,” said one administrator, Adel Karim. “As long as the door to the clinic is open, we will perform our duties. If they try to kick us out, we won’t leave voluntarily.”
Broader Implications
For Saleh, the ban is more than just a threat to daily services—it is an attack on the principles of the UN charter. “If this ban comes into force it will be a sad day for the United Nations,” he declared.