UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency that operates for the benefit of Palestinian refugees.

Having been founded in 1949, UNRWA is the only UN refugee agency dedicated to a specific area and refugee crisis. 

The organization continues to operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, providing humanitarian aid and education for Palestinians.

However, UNRWA has also come under fire for a number of controversies, such as those who claim it creates dependency rather than resettling refugees and others who claim it promotes antisemitism and incitement against Israel in its educational programs.

UNRWA to open office in Turkey, Erdogan says as he calls for more support

Israel last year banned UNRWA, saying it had employed members of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas who took part in the October 7 massacre.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media at NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington last year. Turkey under Erdogan is no longer a NATO ally in spirit; it is a rogue state pursuing an expansionist, Islamist agenda that threatens stability, states the writer.
 Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 3, 2025, in this screengrab taken from video.

Why Humanitarian Organizations hate the GHF - opinion

 A PALESTINIAN PUSHES a hand truck with food supplies inside a United Nations food distribution center in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, last month.

How closing Arab refugee camps would undercut the global intifada - opinion

 IDF finds Hamas weapons, explosives in Gaza, May 30, 2025.

WATCH: IDF troops destroy Hamas military assets in schools throughout Gaza


Akin to Stockholm syndrome: How trauma and coercion influence aid work in Gaza - opinion

UN reports lack balance, fueling reasonable accusations that its workers had become psychologically influenced by the realities on the ground in Gaza.

 UN WORKERS arrive to distribute aid to Palestinians in Khan Yunis, a couple of weeks after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. UN workers in Gaza appear to be facing immense pressure daily, say the writers.

Iraq looks to lead Arab nations as it pledges $20m. to Gaza, Lebanon - analysis

Iraq has sought to spotlight the war in Gaza and to bring Arab countries together on this issue.

 Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, 17 May 2025

Israel must enforce UNRWA ban laws more strictly, MKs demand

UNRWA’s six schools in east Jerusalem were shut down on May 8, after the Jerusalem Municipality on April 8 issued orders to all six school principals telling them to cease operations within 30 days.

 A damaged sign is pictured at the headquarters of UNRWA following an Israeli raid in Gaza City, on July 12, 2024.

US backs Israel's ban on UNRWA Gaza aid operations at World Court

The US said Israel had the right to determine which organizations could provide basic needs to the population of the Palestinian territories.

 A damaged sign is pictured at the headquarters of UNRWA following an Israeli raid in Gaza City, on July 12, 2024.

WATCH: What’s at stake for Israel at the ICJ in Gaza genocide suit?

Legal affairs correspondent Sarah Ben-Nun joins the Jerusalem Post Studio to discuss what the hearings could mean for Israel.

 Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice at the start of a hearing where South Africa requests new emergency measures over Israel's attacks on Rafah, as part of an ongoing case South Africa filed at the ICJ in December last year, The Hague, Netherlands May 17, 2024.

'World failed Palestinian people': South Africa to ICJ

The only certainty that the Palestinian people have is that tomorrow is going to be worse said the South African representative at the ICJ hearing. 

 A Palestinian demonstrator holds a sign thanking South Africa for its support during a protest in Amman, Jordan.

WATCH : Israel's aid blockade 'targets life' in Gaza, Palestinian delegation tells ICJ

Israel did not participate in the hearings, which focused on the question of whether Israel acted against its commitments in banning UNRWA.

 People hold Palestinian flags and placards outside The International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands, April 28, 2025

UN's Guterres is whitewashing UNRWA's part in October 7 massacre, Israeli FM says

"At this very moment, the ICJ is beginning deliberations in another shameful proceeding against Israel," Sa'ar said.

 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accuses UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of whitewashing UNRWA's alleged terror ties, April 28, 2025.

DOJ submits letter over UNRWA immunity, clears way for lawsuit over Oct. 7 attack

The letter contradicts the position of the Biden administration, which claimed that UNRWA was immune because the UN didn't waive immunity.

 A torn UNRWA logo is seen among destruction in Rafah, in southern Gaza, January 22, 2025

Poilievre vows UNRWA funding cut over Hamas ties, Carney wants to maintain it

Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned Carney's "irresponsible" statement and requested a retraction in a Thursday social media post.

 Liberal Leader Mark Carney shakes hands with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre following the French-language federal leaders' debate, in Montreal, Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Columbia University protester Khalil remains jailed while judge weighs case transfer

The Trump admin said it has revoked the visas of hundreds of foreign students it says took part in the pro-Palestinian protests that swept college campuses.

 Muslim protesters pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university, in New York City, US, March 14, 2025.