Against the backdrop of numerous countries suspending funds for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Likud MK Nir Barkat has reportedly revived his years-long plan to expel UNRWA from the capital and have the municipality provide education, health, welfare and sanitation services in its place.
Barkat, who served as mayor of Jerusalem until 2018, has repeatedly accused UNRWA over the past few years of failing those under its purview and instead inciting terror activity.
He originally unveiled his plan when he was ending his term as mayor and joining national politics, and he tried to advance legislation on the matter in the previous Knesset, when Likud was in the opposition.
Now, according to the Israel Hayom daily, Barkat and several other lawmakers have filed the bill again, hoping to take advantage of the current momentum against UNRWA. The report says the bill will be discussed by the Knesset in an expedited process ahead of a preliminary reading in the plenum.
The bill would bar UNRWA from holding any direct or indirect activities or providing any service in Israeli sovereign areas. This includes East Jerusalem, which was annexed in 1980 in a move not recognized by most of the international community.
Watch Docu Nation Season 2: Resilience
when you join the ToI Community
Support The Times of Israel's independent journalism and receive access to our documentary series, Docu Nation: Resilience, premiering December 12.
In this season of Docu Nation, you can stream eight outstanding Israeli documentaries with English subtitles and then join a live online discussion with the filmmakers. The selected films show how resilience, hope, and growth can emerge from crisis.
When you watch Docu Nation, you’re also supporting Israeli creators at a time when it’s increasingly difficult for them to share their work globally.
To learn more about Docu Nation: Resilience, click here.
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this