Israeli court backs government position on UNRWA operations

Israel’s Supreme Court has recommended the dismissal of a petition challenging the government’s decision to cease operations with UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The ruling comes nearly two years after parliament passed the controversial legislation with an unusually large majority of 92 votes, despite international opposition and warnings of potential suspension from UN bodies. The court’s judges determined there was insufficient evidence of human rights violations resulting from the decision and recommended that the petitioners withdraw their challenge. The decision represents a significant legal victory for the government on a highly contentious issue that has drawn considerable criticism from the international community and humanitarian organizations. Petitioners opposing the ruling argued that Israel cannot simply sever ties with UNRWA after more than 70 years of the agency’s operations in the region, highlighting concerns about the humanitarian impact of the decision.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.