Editing UNRWA (section)

==Relations with Israel==
{{main|UNRWA and Israel}}After Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza in the Six-Day War, it requested that the UNRWA continue its operations there, which it would facilitate.<ref name="meforum.org">{{cite journal |url=http://www.meforum.org/3380/israel-relations-unrwa |journal=Middle East Quarterly |title=Jerusalem's Surprisingly Good Relations with UNRWA |last=Spiegel |first=Baruch |date=2012 |access-date=2014-08-16 |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203131844/https://www.meforum.org/3380/israel-relations-unrwa |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then the relationship has been characterized by [[Two-state solution|two-state]] advocate Baruch Spiegel, as "an uneasy marriage of convenience between two unlikely bedfellows that have helped perpetuate the problem both have allegedly sought to resolve."<ref name="meforum.org"/>

Immediately following the Six-Day War, on 14 June UNRWA Commissioner-General Dr. [[Laurence Michelmore]] and political advisor to the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel)|Israeli Foreign Minister]] [[Michael Comay]] exchanged letters that has since served as much of the basis for the relationship between Israel and UNRWA.<ref name="Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/mfadocuments/yearbook1/pages/exchange%20of%20letters%20constituting%20a%20provisional%20agreement%20concerning%20assistance%20to%20palestine%20refugees.aspx|title=Exchange of letters constituting a provisional agreement concerning assistance to Palestine Refugees|publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=2015-05-14|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092102/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/mfadocuments/yearbook1/pages/exchange%20of%20letters%20constituting%20a%20provisional%20agreement%20concerning%20assistance%20to%20palestine%20refugees.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Commonly referred to the Comay-Michelmore Exchange of Letters,<ref>{{cite web|title=Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East|url=http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/20100118134924.pdf|publisher=UNRWA|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055626/http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/20100118134924.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Comay-Michelmore – Agreement|url=http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/8fa942046ff7601c85256983007ca4d8/c6901b955684c7ec85256c3f004743d7?OpenDocument|publisher=United Nations|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093130/http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/8fa942046ff7601c85256983007ca4d8/c6901b955684c7ec85256c3f004743d7?OpenDocument|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> the initial letter from Michelmore reiterates a verbal conversation between the two, stating that:

<blockquote>at the request of the [[Cabinet of Israel|Israel Government]], UNRWA would continue its assistance to the Palestine refugees, with the full co-operation of the Israel authorities, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip areas. For its part, the Israel Government will facilitate the task of UNRWA to the best of its ability, subject only to regulations or arrangements which may be necessitated by considerations of military security.<ref name="Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs"/> </blockquote>

In his responding letter, Comay wrote:<ref name="Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs" />

<blockquote>I agree that your letter and this reply constitute a provisional agreement between UNRWA and the Government of Israel, to remain in force until replaced or cancelled.</blockquote>

UNRWA has been criticised by the Israeli government and politicians for alleged involvement with [[Palestinian political violence|Palestinian militant groups]], such as Hamas. Israeli media organizations have claimed that [[Peter Hansen (UN)|Peter Hansen]], UNRWA's former Commissioner-General (1996–2005) "consistently adopted a trenchant anti-Israel line" which resulted in biased and exaggerated reports against Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNRWA demands Israel apologize over Qassam accusation |url=https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/10/03/16975731.php |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Indybay |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127162624/https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/10/03/16975731.php |url-status=live }}</ref> 

===Israeli ban and ICJ case===
On 28 October 2024, the [[Knesset]] passed legislation that orders UNRWA to cease "any activity" in territories claimed by Israel within 90 days.<ref name=":7" /> The Israeli government, for its part, declared that it will terminate all collaboration, communication and contact with UNRWA beginning on January 30, 2025.<ref>[[Danny Danon]], Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, {{YouTube|ma8IpLcyUpA|"On Jan 30...UNRWA must cease its operations and evacuate all premises it operates in Jerusalem."}}, [[AIJAC]] / Jan. 28, 2025</ref> On 30 January, Israel's UNRWA ban went into effect.<ref name=":14" />

As a result of the ban on UNRWA, the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] voted to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding "Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory" in December 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Israel faces legal pressure at UN’s top court over Unrwa ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/israel-faces-legal-pressure-at-un-top-court-over-unrwa-blockade |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}}</ref> Israel’s foreign minister, [[Gideon Sa'ar]], criticized the decision saying that "it is not Israel that should be on trial. It is the UN and Unrwa".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Israel seems set on destroying system of international law compliance, ICJ hears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/un-is-threatened-by-israels-decision-to-cut-ties-with-relief-agency-world-court-told |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}}</ref>