Israel's Targeting of UNRWA: A Plan to Erase Palestinian Presence
A former senior official at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Lex Takkenburg, has claimed that Israeli attacks on the agency are part of a broader strategy to eliminate the Palestinian presence and history. Takkenburg, who has worked with UNRWA for over three decades, emphasized that Israel's actions are aimed at systematically destroying Palestinian institutions, education, and heritage. Established in 1949, UNRWA was created to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees across five operational areas: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip.
Takkenburg noted that the relationship between Israel and UNRWA has been contentious since Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967. He stated that while Israel has historically relied on UNRWA to provide essential services to Palestinians, it has also accused the agency of harboring anti-Semitic elements and supporting terrorism. These accusations have intensified under the current Israeli government, particularly following the escalation of violence after October 7, 2023, when Israel alleged involvement of UNRWA employees in attacks against its citizens.
The Humanitarian Impact of UNRWA's Potential Collapse
Takkenburg highlighted the critical role of UNRWA, which employs around 30,000 staff members and provides vital services such as education, healthcare, and housing support. He warned that the potential collapse of UNRWA could lead to a new refugee crisis reminiscent of the 2015 migration wave, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced in Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.
Moreover, he described UNRWA as a symbol of the rights of Palestinian refugees, including the right of return and self-determination. Takkenburg accused Israel of violating international law, including the Genocide Convention, by undermining UNRWA's operations and called for the protection of the agency's authority and staff from Israeli attacks. He asserted that Israel's actions, supported by the United States, have resulted in significant humanitarian crises in Gaza, where thousands of civilians, including children and women, have been killed or gone missing amid widespread destruction and famine.
