New Israeli law threatens Gaza Strip's educational future

Philippe Lazzarinim, Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), on November 13 affirmed that Gaza children are at risk of "being deprived of their right to education" if the organization collapses due to Israel's new law.

Mr. Philippe Lazzarinim, Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), affirmed that only UNRWA can ensure education for more than 660,000 children in Gaza. (Source: Reuters)

In October 2024, the Israeli Parliament passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in the country.

According to Mr. Lazzarini, dissolving this agency would cause the United Nations (UN) humanitarian response system to collapse due to its heavy dependence on UNRWA's infrastructure.

Mr. Lazzarini affirmed that in the absence of a capable public administration or state, only UNRWA can guarantee education for more than 660,000 children in Gaza.

“If UNRWA disappears, a whole generation will lose the right to education,” Mr. Lazzarini stressed, warning that this would leave Gaza children “marginalized” and “fertile ground” for extremism.

Mr. Lazzarini also continued to call on UN member states to intervene to prevent the implementation of this law.

UNRWA was founded in 1949 with a mission to provide aid, medical care and education to millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Washington has also affirmed the "indispensable" role of UNRWA in Gaza, while US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield stressed on November 13 that Israel should postpone implementing the law banning this organization.

However, the law takes effect at the end of January 2025, just days after President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term. Mr. Trump is expected to continue to support Israel, even more strongly than President Joe Biden.

Additionally, according to Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, Tel Aviv “is ready to provide humanitarian assistance and cooperate with UN agencies, but not with terrorism.”

On October 28, after a vote of 92 votes in favor and 10 votes against, the Israeli Parliament officially passed a bill prohibiting UNRWA from sending representatives, providing services or carrying out activities, directly or indirectly, on the territory of this country.

The move comes after Israel accused several UNRWA staff of involvement in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/luat-moi-cua-israel-de-doa-tuong-lai-giao-duc-cua-dai-gaza-293681.html