ISRAELIS DISAGREE: UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY (UNRWA)

By JERUSALEM POST Staff, January 8, 2024, 20:35 AM Updated: January 8, 2024, 21:37, (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)

According to a recent survey by the Panel, only 5% of Israelis thought UNRWA was performing its duties effectively.

76% of Israelis strongly disagree with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The survey included 503 people from the Jewish community in Israel and highlighted the general belief that UNRWA is failing to carry out its official role as a provider of social services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The main result of the survey is that only 5% of Israelis believe that UNRWA is doing its job effectively.

Revelations about UNRWA personnel's involvement in Hamas massacres and their links to Islamic Jihad terrorists have heightened these sentiments.

This revelation has led 71% of Israelis to believe that recent events show the true nature of UNRWA, not something out of the ordinary.

The Israeli government's handling of UNRWA's behavior added to Israeli public discontent. Almost half, 45%, assigned failing grades to the management of government issues, and another 27% assigned barely passing grades.

The survey delves deeper into problematic aspects of UNRWA's operations. For instance, the Foreign Ministry's suggestion that UNRWA leave the Gaza Strip following the war has received support from 76% of Israelis.

76% of Israelis support the subsequent elimination of UNRWA, while 85% hold Hamas responsible for the current situation. This is followed by the Palestinian Authority (79%, UNRWA (75%, and Western countries that fund UNWRA (69%.

Dr. Einat Wilf, a former MK and researcher of UNRWA issues, commented on the results and stated that the continued existence of UNRWA perpetuates the conflict and frees Palestinian terrorist organizations from civilian responsibility.

"Unfortunately, despite increased public awareness of the dangers associated with maintaining UNRWA, certain factions within the Israeli government and security agencies continue to view UNRWA as essential, even if only in providing assistance," Wilf said.

"However, a comprehensive understanding reveals that UNRWA has two important roles:

1.      Perpetuating conflict by fostering the idea of' persistent refugees 'and advocating'return'';

2.      Exempting Palestinian terrorist organizations from any responsibility for the civilian     population, allowing them to focus solely on attacking Israelis.  As a result, it became clear that there was no need to look for a replacement for the organization.

The survey changed the Israeli public's perspective on UNRWA, showing that they were concerned about its role in regional conflicts and its impact on Israel's security. These changes could have an impact on policy and international relations in the region.

News Sources : https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-781311