Context:
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Israel’s decision to block electricity and water supply to UNRWA facilities, calling it a violation of UN privileges and a serious impediment to humanitarian assistance for Palestinian refugees. The development follows Israel’s 2024 law prohibiting UNRWA from operating within its territory, escalating tensions over the agency’s mandate.
Key Highlights:
• Immediate Trigger
-
Israel blocked essential services (electricity and water) to facilities operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
-
UN spokesperson warned that this would severely restrict operational capacity.
-
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini termed the action part of a broader campaign to discredit the agency.
• Legal and Diplomatic Context
-
UN argues that Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946) applies to UNRWA.
-
Convention ensures protection of UN property, assets, and operational independence.
-
Israel passed legislation in 2024 banning UNRWA’s operations within its borders.
• Humanitarian Implications
-
UNRWA provides essential services such as:
-
Education
-
Healthcare
-
Food assistance
-
Social protection
-
-
Restrictions may worsen the humanitarian crisis among Palestinian refugees in the Near East.
Relevant Prelims Points:
-
UNRWA (Established 1949)
-
Mandate: Provide relief and human development assistance to Palestinian refugees.
-
Operates in Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
-
Separate from UNHCR, which deals with global refugees.
-
-
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN (1946)
-
Grants UN immunity from legal process.
-
Protects UN property from interference.
-
Ensures operational independence of UN agencies.
-
-
Humanitarian Assistance
-
Includes provision of food, shelter, medical aid, and essential services during crises.
-
Governed by principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
-
-
Difference Between UNRWA and UNHCR
-
UNRWA: Specific to Palestinian refugees.
-
UNHCR: Handles refugee protection globally.
-
Relevant Mains Points:
• International Law and Multilateralism (GS II – IR)
-
Blocking utilities to UN facilities raises concerns about violation of international legal obligations.
-
Challenges the principle of functional immunity of international organizations.
-
Undermines multilateral humanitarian frameworks.
• Israel–Palestine Conflict Context
-
UNRWA has long been central to Palestinian refugee support.
-
Israel has accused the agency of political bias; UNRWA denies allegations.
-
Tensions reflect broader geopolitical divisions in the Middle East.
• Humanitarian and Ethical Dimensions
-
Restrictions may disproportionately affect vulnerable refugee populations.
-
Raises questions about collective punishment and humanitarian access under international humanitarian law.
• Implications for Global Governance
-
Weakening UN agencies can erode trust in rules-based international order.
-
May set precedent affecting operations of other UN bodies globally.
• Way Forward
-
Diplomatic engagement between Israel and the UN to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access.
-
Independent investigations to address allegations transparently.
-
Strengthening international oversight to maintain credibility and neutrality of UN agencies.
-
Reaffirmation of commitments under international humanitarian and human rights law.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
-
GS II – International Relations: UN system, Israel–Palestine conflict, international law, humanitarian diplomacy.
-
Prelims: UNRWA, UNHCR, Convention on Privileges and Immunities (1946), principles of humanitarian assistance.