[News] ‘Direct Affront’ – Israel Approves Bill to Cut UNRWA’s Electricity, Water Supplies

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/direct-affront-israel-approves-bill-to-cut-unrwas-electricity-water-supplies/>
‘Direct Affront’ – Israel Approves Bill to Cut UNRWA’s Electricity, Water
SuppliesDecember 30, 2025
------------------------------
UNRWA training center in occupied Jerusalem. (Photo: via social media)

During the voting session, Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli
Cohen defended the bill, alleging that UNRWA served as an operational arm
of Hamas.

The Israeli Knesset on Monday gave final approval to a bill to prohibit
electricity and water supplies to offices of the UN agency for Palestinian
refugees (UNRWA), with immediate effect.

The move has been condemned by UNRWA as “outrageous” and “a direct affront”
to the mandate granted to the agency by the UN General Assembly.

Israeli lawmakers approved the bill in its second and third readings, with
59 Knesset members voting in favor and seven opposed in the 120-seat
parliament, the Anadolu news agency reported, citing Israeli Army Radio.

Under Israeli law, legislation must pass three readings in the Knesset
before it becomes binding.
Allegations

During the voting session, Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli
Cohen defended the bill, alleging that UNRWA served as an operational arm
of Hamas.

Cohen dismissed the agency’s humanitarian role in serving millions of
Palestinian refugees, saying an organization he claimed fosters incitement
and violence “has no right to continue to exist,” according to Israeli
media.

He also attacked Arab members of the Knesset who opposed the bill, calling
them a “fifth column” and saying they had no place in the Israeli
parliament.

The move comes as Palestinians’ reliance on UNRWA services has grown
following two years of Israel’s genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip, before
a ceasefire took effect last month.
‘Clear Violation’ of Israel’s Obligations

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the new
legislation.

“It is a direct affront to the mandate granted to the Agency by the UN
General Assembly and contrary to findings of the International Court of
Justice (ICJ), which oblige Israel to fulfil its responsibilities as a UN
Member State to UNRWA and the broader UN system,” Lazzarini said in a
statement on X on Tuesday.

Lazzarini explained that the legislation cuts off water, electricity, fuel,
and communications from UNRWA and grants the government of Israel authority
to expropriate UN properties in East Jerusalem, including UNRWA’s
headquarters and its main vocational training centre.

Furthermore, he stated, the bill explicitly excludes UNRWA from Israeli law
enacting Israel’s obligations under the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations.

“This stands in clear violation of the State of Israel’s obligations under
international law,”  Lazzarini stressed.
Extension of Previous Laws

This latest move “extends the laws” passed last year and implemented since
January 2025 that banned UNRWA’s operations in occupied East Jerusalem and
halted all contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA, the statement noted.

Lazzarini emphasized that the new legislation “is a further blow to the
multilateral system,” and part of “an ongoing, systematic campaign
to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct the core role that the Agency plays
in providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine
Refugees.”

These, he explained, are services “which the ICJ has ruled are essential
for delivering on the UN’s commitment to the rights of the Palestinian
people, including their right to self-determination.”
ICJ’s Rulings

In October, the ICJ restated
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/icj-rules-on-aid-entry-to-gaza-this-is-what-it-said/>
that Israel “is obliged under international law to facilitate UNRWA’s
operations, not hinder or prevent them.”

“This new legislation is an unacceptable rejection of the ICJ’s findings,”
Lazzarini sated.

He stressed that Israel is obliged to act within the UN framework and “not
take unilateral action contrary to its obligations” under the UN Charter.

“Should Israel dispute the actions of UNRWA, it must refer the issue to the
UN’s deliberative bodies and seek a decisive ruling from the ICJ. A failure
to do so disrespects the procedures critical to the operation of the UN
system,” the UNRWA chief stated.
Disregard for International Law

He also pointed out that despite Israel’s obligations, “these legislative
steps have been accompanied by unilateral actions on the ground that show a
repeated disregard for international law.”

Earlier this month, Israeli officials stormed UNRWA’s compound in East
Jerusalem and tore down the UN flag, replacing it with an Israeli flag.
While in May, they forced the closure of UNRWA’s schools in East Jerusalem,
“depriving hundreds of Palestine Refugee children of their right to
education,” Lazzarini said.

‘Blatant Disregard’ – Israel Raids UNRWA Premises, UN Flag Replaced with
Israeli Flag
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/blatant-disregard-israel-raids-unrwa-premises-un-flag-replaced-with-israeli-flag/>

He emphasized that the rights of Palestinian refugees “exist separate to
UNRWA, under international human rights law, international humanitarian
law, and UN General Assembly resolutions, including Resolution 194, adopted
in 1948, a year before UNRWA was created in Resolution 302.”

“Even if UNRWA no longer existed, these rights would endure,” he stated.

Lazzarini warned that this move by the Knesset “creates a grave precedent
for other conflict situations where governments may wish to eliminate an
inconvenient UN presence.”

In October 2024, the Knesset also gave final approval to a separate law
banning UNRWA activities in Israel, citing allegations that some of the
agency’s staff took part in the October 7, 2023, events – claims the UN
agency denies.
Staggering Death Toll

The Israeli military, with American support, has killed over 71,200
Palestinians, with more than 171,000 wounded, since October 2023. The vast
majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of
infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are
still missing.

Israeli Air Raids Hit Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Central Gaza amid Worsening
Conditions
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israeli-air-raids-hit-rafah-khan-yunis-and-central-gaza-amid-worsening-conditions/>

In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a
man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly
children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold
Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for
genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war
criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially
wanted by the International Criminal Court.

*(PC, Anadolu)*
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