Revoking UNRWA's immunity; U.S. green light to Israel for escalating human rights violations

Pars Today - A regional expert has warned that revoking the immunity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will weaken the international system and encourage Tel Aviv to further violate human rights in Gaza.

Navid Kamali, an Iranian analyst, described the recent decision by the United States to revoke UNRWA’s legal immunity on Tuesday as a sign of a deep and concerning shift in Washington’s foreign policy. 

He wrote: "This decision is not merely an isolated legal change, but rather a clear indication of alignment between the new U.S. administration and the war objectives of the Zionist regime, intensifying pressure on international institutions active in humanitarian aid, especially in the Gaza Strip."

Kamali considered this move to be in contrast with the policies of the previous U.S. administration and emphasized: "This approach aims to increase pressure on institutions that act outside the sphere of U.S. and Israeli interests while carrying out their humanitarian missions."

The regional expert pointed to the reasons behind this decision, highlighting the role of pro-Israel lobbies and the strategic alignment between the Trump administration and Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. He reminded that Israel has long sought to weaken and eliminate UNRWA as a symbol of the ongoing Palestinian refugee issue.

According to Kamali, the U.S. action is part of the pattern of Trump’s foreign policy aimed at weakening international institutions and prioritizing Washington’s defined national interests over multilateral commitments. Weakening this institution amid the current critical crisis in Gaza will lead to a humanitarian disaster, threatening the lives of millions of defenseless people.

Kamali considered the recent U.S. move as a warning bell for the future of the international order and human rights values. He stated: "Weakening institutions like UNRWA, rather than enhancing Israel's security or U.S. interests, will result in regional instability, increased suffering for the Palestinian people, and a decline in the credibility of the United States on the global stage."

UNRWA was established in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees across many countries and particularly manages health centers and schools in Gaza and the West Bank. The organization is considered the backbone of international aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, which is now facing a humanitarian catastrophe caused by Israel's brutal crimes in Gaza.

MG/UR