Israel-Hamas Thread II
- By Benaiah468
- News & Current Events (Articles Required)
- 5158 Replies
The United Nations General Assembly has once again demonstrated how far removed it is from the realities on the ground. With 139 votes, it called on Israel to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN organisations. It is a resolution without binding force and without any realistic connection to the events of recent years. It ignores the fact that Israel has good reasons to deny UNRWA access. It ignores what international partners themselves now confirm: the structures of the "Palestinian" refugee agency have been deeply infiltrated by Hamas and related terrorist groups for years.
Israel responded clearly and unequivocally. Ambassador Danny Danon stated that no resolution in the world would compel Israel to cooperate with an organisation whose employees were involved in kidnappings, murders and supporting armed groups. Danon's words summarise what Jerusalem has been emphasising for years. Criticism of UNRWA is not politically motivated, but based on specific incidents ranging from exposed terrorist cells to underground Hamas facilities beneath the organisation's schools.
The vote in the General Assembly is therefore less an expression of international legal opinion than a reflection of global power relations. Many states automatically follow any proposal that is placed in the context of the Middle East conflict if it offers them the opportunity to criticise Israel and at the same time demonstrate their own position in the multilateral structure. The resolution reinforces this reflexive dynamic. In terms of content, however, it fails to address the question of how humanitarian structures can function when terrorist organisations deliberately abuse them.
The timing is particularly noteworthy. Just a few months ago, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Israel must grant UNRWA access, as there was allegedly insufficient evidence of Hamas infiltration. At that point, Israel had already documented several cases in which employees had supported terrorist attacks or provided infrastructure for military purposes. The UN demanded evidence, which Israel provided but which it then ignored. This creates an absurd situation: a state defending itself against terrorism is expected to trust an agency that cannot even ensure internally that its own employees are not part of that terrorism.
Today's decision confirms this imbalance. The UN expects cooperation without even beginning to reduce the risks. It demands access without demanding accountability. It ignores the fact that UNRWA in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian organisation, but operates in an environment where Hamas controls every space. Those who block, manipulate or misuse aid supplies have been well documented in this structure for years. But instead of investigating its own agency, Israel's political costs are being increased because it is defending itself.
Israel will not allow an organisation that has been proven to employ individuals involved in kidnappings and murders to operate on its territory in the future. Nor will it accept international bodies shirking their responsibility and instead putting pressure on the state that is directly affected by terrorism. The fact that the General Assembly ignores these connections is nothing new. However, the fact that it is increasingly distancing itself from the reality of the region is a warning sign that must be taken seriously.
Any decision that provides political cover for UNRWA without demanding reforms does not stabilise the humanitarian space, but rather the power structures of Hamas. It weakens trust in international institutions. And it leaves the families of hostages, those murdered and victims of terror unheard. Under these conditions, Israel must protect itself alone. It will continue to do so, regardless of what resolutions are passed in NY.
Israel responded clearly and unequivocally. Ambassador Danny Danon stated that no resolution in the world would compel Israel to cooperate with an organisation whose employees were involved in kidnappings, murders and supporting armed groups. Danon's words summarise what Jerusalem has been emphasising for years. Criticism of UNRWA is not politically motivated, but based on specific incidents ranging from exposed terrorist cells to underground Hamas facilities beneath the organisation's schools.
The vote in the General Assembly is therefore less an expression of international legal opinion than a reflection of global power relations. Many states automatically follow any proposal that is placed in the context of the Middle East conflict if it offers them the opportunity to criticise Israel and at the same time demonstrate their own position in the multilateral structure. The resolution reinforces this reflexive dynamic. In terms of content, however, it fails to address the question of how humanitarian structures can function when terrorist organisations deliberately abuse them.
The timing is particularly noteworthy. Just a few months ago, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Israel must grant UNRWA access, as there was allegedly insufficient evidence of Hamas infiltration. At that point, Israel had already documented several cases in which employees had supported terrorist attacks or provided infrastructure for military purposes. The UN demanded evidence, which Israel provided but which it then ignored. This creates an absurd situation: a state defending itself against terrorism is expected to trust an agency that cannot even ensure internally that its own employees are not part of that terrorism.
Today's decision confirms this imbalance. The UN expects cooperation without even beginning to reduce the risks. It demands access without demanding accountability. It ignores the fact that UNRWA in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian organisation, but operates in an environment where Hamas controls every space. Those who block, manipulate or misuse aid supplies have been well documented in this structure for years. But instead of investigating its own agency, Israel's political costs are being increased because it is defending itself.
Israel will not allow an organisation that has been proven to employ individuals involved in kidnappings and murders to operate on its territory in the future. Nor will it accept international bodies shirking their responsibility and instead putting pressure on the state that is directly affected by terrorism. The fact that the General Assembly ignores these connections is nothing new. However, the fact that it is increasingly distancing itself from the reality of the region is a warning sign that must be taken seriously.
Any decision that provides political cover for UNRWA without demanding reforms does not stabilise the humanitarian space, but rather the power structures of Hamas. It weakens trust in international institutions. And it leaves the families of hostages, those murdered and victims of terror unheard. Under these conditions, Israel must protect itself alone. It will continue to do so, regardless of what resolutions are passed in NY.
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