JERUSALEM — Inside the Shuafat refugee camp, a challenging area in east Jerusalem defined by its surrounding concrete wall, vehicles slowly made their way toward an Israeli checkpoint.
Navigating the stringent security measures can be frustrating for residents looking to leave the camp. However, Areej Taha, a 42-year-old mother, managed to receive necessary medical care on Monday without having to venture out. She sought treatment for a toothache and collected her insulin from a clinic operated by the United Nations just a short walk away from her children, who were attending a school also run by the UN.
Due to the lack of municipal services, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) serves as the primary provider of essential healthcare and education services in Shuafat camp. Taha expressed her concerns, saying, “I can’t imagine what we would do if UNRWA was no longer here.”
However, the future of these vital services is in jeopardy. New Israeli legislation set to take effect on Thursday will formally bar UNRWA from functioning within Israel and prevent Israeli officials from engaging with the agency.
The immediate ramifications will be most severe in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured during the 1967 Middle East war and unilaterally annexed, a move largely unrecognized internationally. The potential shutdown of UNRWA’s headquarters in the area looms as a result of laws enacted last month, and the impact could extend to the agency’s essential operations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, where it supports approximately 2 million individuals, including many displaced by the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Israel has long been critical of UNRWA, alleging it sustains the refugee status of Palestinians. The Israeli government’s condemnation of the agency has intensified post the recent attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Authorities have claimed that a fraction of UNRWA’s personnel in Gaza were involved in the violence, suggesting that others may have affiliations with Hamas.
In response, UNRWA has denied any collaboration with militant groups and asserted that it removes individuals from its workforce if any militant affiliations are found.
As the deadline for the new legislation approaches, uncertainty persists about its implementation and its impact on UNRWA’s operations. Officials from the agency have indicated they are unsure of the ramifications.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer confirmed that UNRWA would cease operations in Israel shortly. Furthermore, Leeron Iflah, deputy director-general of the Jerusalem Affairs Office, indicated that students enrolled in UNRWA schools would be transferred to alternative education facilities in east Jerusalem starting next week.
However, an Israeli government insider revealed that while institutions may not be forcibly closed, coordinating actions with Israeli authorities will become increasingly challenging.
If a complete shutdown occurs, UNRWA could no longer provide primary healthcare services to around 80,000 Palestinians in east Jerusalem through its medical facilities. Additionally, educational and vocational training programs for approximately 1,000 students could be abruptly halted mid-year.
Karim Hawash, a municipal worker and a concerned father, lamented the potential disruption to his 13-year-old son’s education, expressing frustration over the lack of alternative schooling options in the camp. “Where is he supposed to go? The schools around here are already bursting at the seams,” he noted, watching his son play soccer against a wall.
Due to the absence of municipal schools in Shuafat, children forced out of UNRWA’s system would have to negotiate Israeli checkpoints daily to reach unknown schooling destinations.
With much at stake, the potential repercussions of these legislative changes could extend not only to immediate educational and health services but also disrupt comprehensive humanitarian logistics in the West Bank and Gaza.
Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA’s senior communications manager, remarked from the organization’s east Jerusalem headquarters that shutting down its operations would significantly hinder its capacity to provide essential services. The agency plays a crucial role in delivering food, healthcare supplies, and various forms of aid to those reliant on it amid the ongoing crisis resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
UNRWA currently utilizes storage facilities in Israel for aid heading to Gaza and must coordinate with Israeli authorities for material transport—both facets now jeopardized by the new restrictions.
Mencer indicated that assistance would need to be redirected to other United Nations agencies and NGOs active in Gaza, while others have voiced concerns regarding freedom of movement for UNRWA employees in the West Bank.
The establishment of UNRWA traces back to a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stemming from the 1948 war, which saw hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced. Originally intended as a temporary measure to assist those affected, the agency’s role has evolved, accommodating a growing population of nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across various regions.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding its existence, Fowler defended UNRWA, underlining that the international community continues to support its operations due to the absence of a sustainable solution to the conflict.
Yet, Israeli authorities argue that UNRWA contributes to the protracted nature of the conflict by perpetuating the refugee status of Palestinians. Past administrations, including that of Donald Trump, have taken a hard line against the agency, leading to funding cuts.
In Shuafat camp, residents retain the valuable blue ID that grants them mobility akin to that enjoyed by Israeli citizens. However, following the construction of a separation barrier in 2002 purportedly designed to enhance security, the camp found itself segmented from the rest of the city, complicating the lives of its inhabitants.
Israeli officials say they are committed to improving services for Palestinians in east Jerusalem, albeit acknowledging the challenges ahead. Iflah stated, “This isn’t going to turn around overnight,” when discussing plans to take over the services formerly provided by UNRWA in Shuafat camp.
As Taha ponders her upcoming insulin needs, she faces uncertainty. Without access to Jerusalem due to her lack of a blue ID, she is left wondering how to secure her essential medication.
