Israeli official recommends classifying UNRWA as ‘terrorist’ organization

A senior Israeli official recommended that the Netanyahu-led government should classify the U.N. Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) as “a terrorist organization,” according to a media report Friday.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that Gilad Erdan, Israel’s envoy to the U.N., made the recommendation in response to the U.N. blacklisting Israel for violating children’s rights in conflict zones.

KAN noted that Israel is reviewing additional measures in response to the U.N.’s actions, including cutting ties with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erdan also suggested that the government deny visas to U.N. officials and heads of U.N. agencies, and prevent them from working in the West Bank.

Erdan stated Guterres added the Israeli army to a global list of offenders who have violated children’s rights, known as the “List of Shame,” marking the first time Israel has been included despite previous calls by rights groups.

Israel has continued its offensive on Gaza since an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 36,700 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and over 83,500 others injured, according to local health authorities. Eight months into the Israeli war, vast areas of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.