Dear [name of elected representative]

I’m writing as your constituent to ask that you take urgent action following the recent Israeli parliament vote to ban UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinians, from operating in Israel and occupied Palestine. 

This vote wasn’t a threat or posturing. On November 3, Israel formally notified the UN that the ban will be implemented. Unless urgent pressure is put on the Israeli government by Ireland and others, this ban will be devastating for the millions of Palestinians reliant on UNRWA services in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. 

In Gaza in particular the ban will be catastrophic.  

Ninety six percent of Gazans are facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity with the entire population in North Gaza now at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence, according to the UN. It has called the unfolding situation “apocalyptic”. In many areas of Gaza, and almost all of the north, UNRWA is the only humanitarian agency still able to operate.  

Aid agencies are unified and clear – no other agency can deliver the vital, life-sustaining aid that Palestinians urgently need at the necessary scale and speed. As nearly 60 international agencies working in and on Palestine said in a recent joint statement, “There is no viable alternative to UNRWA. UNRWA’s essential and irreplaceable role in supporting Palestine refugees cannot be overstated.”* 

By banning UNRWA’s operations, Israel is disregarding the International Court of Justice’s interim order to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid into Gaza. Earlier this year the ICJ stated that: “In conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular the spread of famine and starvation, Israel shall: (a) take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full co-operation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance”.

The ICJ’s interim ruling also placed clear obligations on third party states like Ireland to take all and every action to prevent the commission of genocidal acts, including acts to hinder the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance. Issuing statements condemning Israel’s ban of UNRWA does not equate to meeting these obligations under international law.  

I therefore request that you ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to state clearly what actions – beyond issuing statements – the Irish government is taking to abide by the obligations placed on it by the ICJ to prevent Israel from carrying out its ban of the life-sustaining services that only UNRWA can provide.  

I look forward to hearing your response and the response from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.   

*The joint statement by agencies including Oxfam, Christian Aid, ActionAid, Human Rights Watch, Quakers in Britain and others can be read at www.actionaid.org/news/2024/urgent-global-appeal-defend-unrwa-israeli-ban-and-prevent-catastrophic-consequences 

 

[your name + your home address]