Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Israel Advances Bill to Cut UNRWA Services
The Israeli parliament has moved forward with a bill to stop giving water and electricity to buildings owned by UNRWA, an organization that helps Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA, which gets money from countries like India, provides important services like schools and healthcare to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and other places.
Israel says UNRWA supports violence and has ties to terrorist groups, which is why they want to cut off these services.
India has been giving UNRWA 5 million dollars every year to help with their work.
The bill still needs to go through more steps to become a law.
Israeli parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee unanimously advanced a bill to cut water and electricity supply to UNRWA facilities.
UNRWA provides education, healthcare, and aid to 5.6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
India has contributed 5 million USD annually to UNRWA, totaling 35 million USD by 2023-24.
Israel alleges that UNRWA incites violence and has ties to terror groups, including participation in the October 7, 2023, attack.
The bill requires electricity and water providers to withhold or disconnect services from UNRWA properties unless a sworn declaration is submitted.
- Who
- Israeli parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, UNRWA, India
- What
- Advancement of a bill to cut water and electricity supply to UNRWA facilities
- When
- December 16, 2023
- Where
- Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria
- Why
- Israel alleges UNRWA incites violence and has ties to terror groups
- UNRWA
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
- UNRWA Funding
- Voluntary contributions from UN Member States, including India
- India's Contribution
- 5 million USD annually, totaling 35 million USD by 2023-24
- UNRWA Services
- Education, healthcare, relief, social services, and microfinance
- UNRWA Refugees
- 5.6 million registered Palestinian refugees
- Gaza Population
- Approximately 2.3 million, with 75% displaced since October 7
- Israel's Allegations
- UNRWA staff ties to terror groups and incitement of violence
- Bill Status
- Advanced by Israeli parliament, awaiting final readings