Consequences of Israel’s Outlawing of UNRWA: Dark Horizons for Palestinians: Implications of this action what it Means for Palestinians Future.
Israel has announced that it will close the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. For more than seventy years, the agency had been one of the UN institutions providing services to Palestinian refugees. Over a single night, it became illegal. This has tremendous implications to millions of Palestinians who are directly benefiting from the UNRWA services in the near and far future relating to education, health, and humanitarian relief services. At the point of current high tension across the region, it would lead to an even more catastrophic humanitarian situation, and tolerable living conditions for the many individuals and families associated with such communities are also very close to hand.
UNRWA: A lifeline to the Palestinians
UNRWA is set up in 1949 for the Palestinian refugees, whose homes have been lost as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Currently, over 5.7 million of its registered refugees have living shelters in the Middle East with comprehensive care through education, healthcare assistance, food help, among others in its line-up of welfare facilities.For most Palestinians, UNRWA is the only lifeline in a state of continuous conflict and turmoil.
Palestinians would feel the pinch without UNRWA. Many families look up to its schools to provide education; it is said that around 500,000 students attend UNRWA schools. The agency will also be providing critical care medical services to those whose access to health services is quite limited. Its clinics account for over 1.5 million patients annually so that the basic health needs can be met in a region that is characterized by conflict.
Outlawing UNRWA
The abolition of UNRWA would have the most serious impacts on the Palestinian population because it would aggravate current humanitarian crises and cause new ones. Among the areas that are considered to be critically affected, the following will be cited:
- Disturbance of Education
With UNRWA schools that may shut their doors due to running out of funds, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children will be deprived of education. Already, there exist colossal shortages of quality education within the occupied territories, thereby turning into a generation lacking in education which will progress further in the chain of poverty and unrest.
- Health Care Crisis
The most vital service in the health sector from UNRWA is vaccination, maternity care, and chronic disease follow-up. Most clinics would shut their doors once the agency’s services are put to an end. It would be dire for Palestinians because this group of patients will lose easy access to the most necessary medical treatment. It comes at a sad time for the Palestinians as well; the health crises occur when the health care system is itself a question of life or death amid the COVID-19 situation.
- Food Insecurity
It is also critical for UNRWA in alleviating food insecurity of the Palestinian refugees. UNRWA delivers food rations to about 1.7 million people. The loss of this resource would lead to increased malnutrition and starvation, especially among the most vulnerable sectors: children and the elderly.
- Psychosocial Impacts
The psychological cost of displacement and conflict cannot be underplayed. Psychosocial support to mitigate trauma is also available in UNRWA services. If these are to disappear, the psychological distress could be more devastating than a mental health crisis that might plunge communities into a sea of psychological stress, with impacts for generations to come.
Historical Context
It is only in the context of history and its role in the Palestinian narrative that one can understand why this decision is so crucial. From its inception, UNRWA has been a frontline service provider for Palestinian refugees, and often it has been criticized and politically assailed by different parties, including Israel. Yet, the agency has remained an essential element in alleviating humanitarian suffering in the region.
Under the current conditions with political climate charged up and dynamics of power constantly changing. UNRWA is open to all the variety of forces which are aiming at the denial of rights to Palestinians. The development which just falls in the process now outlawing this agency falls into the line of strategy of delegitimization of Palestinian claims to statehood and sovereignty.
International Response
This move will define the future of UNRWA and the future of Palestinians. Many countries and organizations have communicated their reservation concerning this development. The UN Secretary-General called for protection of humanitarian agencies; their value must not be undermined, especially those who work in conflicted zones.
Other humanitarian bodies, including Oxfam and Human Rights Watch, have also condemned the cut in funding for UNRWA, saying it would further devastate a desperate situation for the Palestinian refugees. The loss of funding and support for UNRWA could send shock waves, destabilizing the already fragile infrastructure supporting millions of Palestinians.
FAQ’S :
- What are Consequence on international assistance to Palestinians?
Banning UNRWA is going to bring about sharp reduction in the level of international aid to the refugees. In case of its closure, other countries and organisations will not intervene since they will fear reprisal at the hands of Israel.
- What are Consequence in peace negotiations?
This may lead to adding another layer to the peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. The worse the humanitarian crisis gets, the closer it brings the region from achieving a lasting peace settlement, hence the situation within the region becomes more tense.
- What has an individual to do with this?
People who would like to help the Palestinians can donate to known organizations that are able to offer humanitarian aid and advocacy for the rights of the Palestinian people. The more public awareness especially on social media and in the community, the louder their voices.
Conclusion
This would be a turning point decision that would raise the humanitarian crisis among Palestinian .It is supposed to impact education, health, food security and mental health services. In this hour of alarming change, it becomes necessary to emphasize UNRWA as a critical lifeline for Palestinian refugees and demand that it be preserved.
This is about life and death. Hundreds of millions of Palestinians in the future are being negotiated over and time is now. The collective effort alone is going to alleviate the agony and suffering of all that is touched by this tragedy in contributing towards a more equal and just future for all.
