FALCON POWERS – The already fraught relationship between Israel and the United Nations has deteriorated to what can be considered a declaration of war this week, following the Knesset’s ban on the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel faces sharp international criticism after its parliament approved a bill prohibiting UNRWA, which coordinates nearly all aid to the Gaza Strip. This move has further strained relations between Israel and the UN after a year characterized by insults, accusations, and attacks between the two parties, raising questions about Israel’s continued membership in the international body.
An article in the Swiss newspaper “Le Temps” on Tuesday stated, “This is the pinnacle of a declaration of war.”
Since Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 of last year, the verbal war between Israel and various UN bodies has intensified. International organizations have repeatedly accused Israel of committing “genocide” in its devastating war on Gaza, which was launched in response to the October 7 attack.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have increasingly accused the UN of bias, even labeling UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a “partner in terrorism.” Earlier this month, Israel went further by declaring the UN Secretary-General “persona non grata,” effectively barring him from entering its territory for failing to immediately condemn a missile attack against it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” accusing Guterres of “supporting terrorists, rapists, and murderers.” This came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the UN General Assembly last month, where he described the international body as a “swamp of anti-Semitism.”
Netanyahu also condemned French President Emmanuel Macron for suggesting that Israel owes its existence to a UN resolution and thus should show more respect for its decisions. Tensions have escalated further since Israel intensified its strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon and sent ground troops into the country.
The UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), stationed along the border between the two countries, reported “deliberate attacks” by the Israeli army on its personnel and sites, provoking international outrage.
During the past year, criticisms of Israel from UN-linked courts, councils, agencies, and employees have intensified regarding its actions in Gaza. Israeli envoy to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Miron, recently told AFP, “We feel that the UN has betrayed Israel.”
Israeli complaints about UN bias began long ago, citing the large number of resolutions issued against it.
