Israel’s Knesset approves first reading of bill to cut UNRWA’s electricity, water access
Israel’s parliament has advanced a government bill that would prevent water and electricity providers from offering their services to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The Knesset today approved the first reading of the bill by a margin of 28 to 8 votes. It will next be brought before the relevant parliamentary committee, according to the Wafa news agency.
Israeli state authorities are already prohibited from having any connection with UNRWA. However, the latest legislation goes further, aiming to prevent water and electricity from being supplied to properties registered to UNRWA, while also allowing the Israeli state to seize land the UN agency has registered with the Israel Land Authority.
The proposal is seen as the latest attempt by Israel to undermine the work of UNRWA.
Germany withholds support for UNRWA extension for first time
At a preliminary vote in a UN General Assembly subcommittee in New York, the German representative abstained, for the first time withholding support for the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in Berlin that the government expects “consistent and verifiable reforms within UNRWA” before backing another mandate renewal.
The resolution passed with 144 votes in favour, 11 against and 16 abstentions. A final vote in the full General Assembly, which is set to extend UNRWA’s current mandate from mid-2026 to mid-2029, is scheduled for December.
Wadephul said there had been unacceptable cooperation in some cases with groups hostile to Israel that had fuelled tensions.
Israel has long maintained that several staff members of UNRWA were Hamas operatives. Last month, the International Court of Justice became the latest body to reject that claim, saying Israel has not offered enough proof.
