The Monitor Team issues its second report, reveals significant developments regarding the status of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – UNRWA:
The American Department of Justice established that UNRWA is not entitled to diplomatic immunity in US courts; The American Senate resubmitted a bill to enable lawsuits against international organizations supporting terror; while in Israel, despite the legislation passing with an overwhelming majority, implementation is being delayed, and UNRWA schools, offices and bank accounts remain operative, and COGAT continues to coordinate with the agency in violation of the explicit law; however, international UNRWA employees left the country and are barred from re-entry; all this while the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened proceedings in answer to Norwegian and Palestinian opposition to the Israeli ban on UNRWA, ignoring all evidence presented by Israel of UNRWA involvement in terrorist activity.
Second Report:
1. The American administration determined that UNRWA does not enjoy the UN’s diplomatic immunity – the DOJ clarified the agency is independent of the UN and not an integral part of the organization, thus paving the way for lawsuits to be filed against UNRWA and its senior members. This is particularly significant as Israeli legal counsel use this immunity as one of the flimsy excuses to avoid implementing the law against UNRWA.
2. The American Senate resubmitted the LIABLE act – a bill that will enable Americans to sue international organizations the workers of which support terrorism. UNRWA victims now have the opportunity to sue UNRWA in the US.
3. The ICJ has begun proceedings in response to Norway’s request for an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligation to cooperate with UNRWA and rescinf the laws against it. Israel has chosen not to participate but did submit a written statement, outlining its objections to the proceedings, as well as the evidence of UNRWA’s activities, stressing UNRWA employees’ involvement in terrorism.
4. The JNS reports that the UN Secretary-General ordered a comprehensive strategic review of UNRWA, led by activist Ian Martin, former secretary general of Amnesty International.
5. Additional evidence of UNRWA involvement in terrorism was uncovered by the IDF in Rafah – a weapons cache hidden in UNRWA bags near a school and hospital.
6. Implementation and Enforcement:
Despite the laws taking effect from January 2025, they have not been fully implemented. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini bragged in a recent interview that the organization is carrying on as usual in “The West Bank and even East Jerusalem”.
Reports:
A. COGAT is ignoring the law: Maariv reports that the latest hearing on the laws’ implementation held by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee (which was unduly closed to the public) revealed COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) was carrying on regular coordination with UNRWA despite the explicit prohibition.
B. East Jerusalem schools still operating: Times of Israel and others report that six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem are operating as usual, despite the law. A report on the 27.4.2025 Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee says the Police have ordered schools closure in the neighborhood of Shuafat, and granted an extension till 8.5.25 to comply. Arab media confirms this report.
C. Bank accounts still active: According to the Knesset Finance Committee records and a report by Ynet, the UNRWA bank accounts have not been closed.
D. Jerusalem offices not evacuated: Haaretz and Maariv report that UNRWA offices in Jerusalem have not actually been evacuated, and reports from the unjustifiably classified Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee hearing say water and electricity services to UNRWA facilities are uninterrupted.
E. Transfer of services to Municipality stalled: The Jerusalem municipality is meant to take over education, health, welfare and sanitation services from UNRWA in East Jerusalem, however, this has not been fully carried out (Israel Hayom and Maariv). According to the same unjustifiably classified Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee hearing, municipality representatives claim the delay is due to the Ministry of Finance’s refusal to transfer the 9 million shekel it requires to take over the tasks.
F. Failed raid in Qaladiya: According to Israel Hayom, a raid on UNRWA’s facility in Qalandiya to prepare plans for its evacuation was poorly planned and ended in the forced ejection of the municipality representative by Fatah.
G. Illegal Legal Objection: Ynet reports that the law is being slow-walked by the Attorney General of Israel, Baharav-Miara, seeking cautious legal interpretation to allegedly conform to international obligations. Individuals from the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Jerusalem Municipality testify to being told the AG instructed legal counsel to obstruct the law’s enforcement.
H. Border Protection: Haaretz reports that an UNRWA employee was arrested upon re-entering Israel and deported.
See the full report [Hebrew]
