WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday criticized an Israeli bill that would declare the UN agency for Palestinian refugees a terrorist organization, saying that such efforts are “incredibly unhelpful.”
“UNRWA is not a terrorist organization, and we urge the Israeli government and the Knesset to halt the movement of this legislation,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
He added that “the attacks that the Israeli government has leveled on UNRWA are incredibly unhelpful. They do nothing to advance the cause of getting humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.”
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill that designates UNRWA a terrorist organization and proposes severing all ties with the humanitarian agency.
After passing its first reading, the legislation will go to a parliamentary committee for further deliberation.
UNRWA, which has more than 30,000 employees serving some 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in the region, has been accused by Israel of employing “more than 400 terrorists” in the Gaza Strip.
The United States suspended its financial contributions to the agency after separate unproven Israeli allegations were made that some UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
Since then, US lawmakers have prohibited Washington from releasing funds to the agency.
Several other countries that also withdrew funding for UNRWA have since reinstated their contributions, including Britain, France and the European Union.
US defends UNRWA after Israel moves to deem it terror group
https://arab.news/8eed3
US defends UNRWA after Israel moves to deem it terror group
- Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill that designates UNRWA a terrorist organization
Palestine Action-linked detainee to stand in UK local elections
- Amu Gib’s campaign will focus on both local concerns and broader political issues, including UK policy on Israel and Palestine
DUBAI: A pro-Palestine activist held on remand in the UK will stand as a candidate in May’s local council elections, according to recent local media reports.
Amu Gib, who has been in custody since July 2025 while awaiting trial over alleged links to direct action by the group Palestine Action, was selected by the Islington Community Independents to run in a north London ward.
The charges relate to an alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton, where activists are accused of damaging aircraft they believed were connected to UK support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Gib has not been convicted of any offense.
The 30-year-old recently took part in a hunger strike organized by Prisoners for Palestine, which lasted 49 days and ended in December.
Supporters said Gib’s candidacy aims to raise awareness of the war in Gaza as well as local issues, including housing and education. If elected, Gib would be able to carry out council duties remotely while remaining in custody, under UK law.
Islington Community Independents said the campaign would focus on both local concerns and broader political issues, including UK policy on Israel and Palestine.
Meanwhile, the case comes amid a legal dispute over the government’s decision to ban Palestine Action.
Britain’s High Court ruled earlier this month that the group’s proscription under anti-terrorism laws was “disproportionate and unlawful,” saying most of its activities did not meet the threshold for terrorism and that the ban interfered with the right to protest.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government would appeal the ruling, leaving the legal status of more than 2,500 people arrested for alleged support for the group uncertain.
