Mehdi Hasan Debunks 7 Israeli Myths About UNRWA

Summary

The video script debunks seven common Israeli myths about UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. It clarifies that UNRWA was established in 1949 with Israel's support to aid Palestinian refugees and was also involved in assisting Jewish refugees until Israel took over that role. The script refutes the idea that UNHCR could replace UNRWA, highlights that UNRWA's mandate is unique and specific to Palestinian refugees, and that the children of refugees are also considered refugees under international law. It also addresses allegations of UNRWA promoting anti-Semitic bias, its relationship with Hamas, and the involvement of UNRWA employees in attacks on Israel. The video concludes by challenging the notion that there is no Israeli plan to destroy UNRWA, citing evidence to the contrary and questioning the United States' involvement in the situation.

Takeaways

• 📜 UNRWA was established in 1949 with Israel's support to provide aid to Palestinian refugees, including direct services for food, education, and healthcare, especially in Gaza.
• 🏛 Israel was one of the countries that voted for UNRWA's establishment, and it provided relief to Jewish refugees until 1952 when Israel took over that responsibility.
• 🌍 UNRWA's mandate is specific to Palestinian refugees from the 1948 conflict, while UNHCR was established later in 1950 with a different mandate that does not cover Palestinians already receiving assistance from UN agencies.
• 👪 Under international law, the children of refugees are also considered refugees, which is not unique to Palestinians but applies to refugees worldwide.
• 📚 A Trump State Department report found that 97% of UNRWA's textbooks contain no anti-Semitic or anti-Israel bias, debunking claims of hate education.
• 🚫 Hamas has shown disapproval of UNRWA, viewing it as too Western and in competition for providing social services in Gaza, contrary to claims of collaboration.
• 🔍 Allegations of UNRWA employees' involvement in attacks on Israel lack concrete evidence, with internal US intelligence expressing low confidence in Israel's claims.
• 🤔 The US halted humanitarian aid to Palestinians via UNRWA based on allegations affecting less than 0.01% of its staff, raising questions about the proportionality of the response.
• 🗣️ Noga Arbel, a former Israeli foreign ministry official, testified before the Israeli parliament about plans to dismantle UNRWA, contradicting denials of such intentions.
• ⛓️ UN internal reports suggest some of its employees were tortured by Israelis to make false claims against UNRWA, highlighting concerns over the treatment of its staff.
• ❌ The script suggests that there is an Israeli war on UNRWA, which has broader implications for the humanitarian crisis and the people of Gaza, questioning the US's involvement.

Q & A

What is the primary role of UNRWA?

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, provides direct services such as food, education, health care, and other assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza.

When was UNRWA established and which countries voted in favor of its establishment?

UNRWA was established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly, and Israel was among the countries that voted in favor of its creation.

Why was UNRWA initially set up to provide relief to Jewish refugees as well?

UNRWA was established in the wake of the 1948 conflict, which Israel calls its War of Independence and Palestinians call the Nakba. It provided relief to Jewish refugees from that conflict until 1952 when Israel decided to take over that mission.

Why can't UNHCR, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, take over the role of UNRWA for Palestinian refugees?

UNRWA was specifically set up to deal with the Palestinian refugees from 1948, and its mandate comes from the UN General Assembly. UNHCR, established a year later, has a mandate from the Refugee Convention which explicitly states it does not apply to refugees already receiving assistance from other UN agencies. UNHCR also does not provide direct services in the same way UNRWA does.

How does UNRWA's policy on refugee status for descendants of Palestinian refugees compare to international law?

Under international law, the children of refugees are also considered refugees. UNRWA's policy aligns with this principle, allowing descendants of Palestinian refugees to claim refugee status, which is not unique to Palestinians but applies to refugees worldwide.

What was the finding of a Trump State Department report regarding anti-Semitic content in UNRWA textbooks?

The report found that 97% of UNRWA textbooks contain no anti-Semitic or anti-Israel bias, with only a small minority of 3% containing such content.

What is the relationship between UNRWA and Hamas in Gaza?

Hamas does not have a cooperative relationship with UNRWA. In fact, there have been instances where Hamas has been at odds with UNRWA, viewing it as too Western and a competitor in providing social services to Gaza's population.

What was the allegation regarding UNRWA employees' involvement in the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel?

It was alleged that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks. However, this represents less than 0.01% of the total UNRWA staff in Gaza. There is also a lack of hard evidence to support these claims, and internal US intelligence reports express low confidence in these allegations.

What has been the Israeli military's stance towards UNRWA?

The Israeli military has expressed intentions to dismantle or eliminate UNRWA, which is part of an Israeli war against the agency and, by extension, the people of Gaza who rely on its services.

Why did the US agree to halt humanitarian aid for Palestinians via UNRWA?

The US agreed to halt aid due to allegations that a small number of UNRWA employees were involved in attacks on Israel. However, these claims are disputed, and there is no concrete evidence provided by Israel to support them.

What is the significance of the Israeli plan to destroy UNRWA?

The alleged Israeli plan to destroy UNRWA is significant because it would deprive millions of Palestinians, especially in Gaza, of vital services such as food, education, and health care, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Why is there controversy over the US joining in the Israeli actions against UNRWA?

The controversy stems from the potential humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian people, who rely on UNRWA for essential services. The US's involvement is questioned on moral and ethical grounds, given the impact on vulnerable populations.

Outlines

00:00

📛 UNRWA's Role and Israeli Myths Debunked

The paragraph discusses the critical role of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in providing direct services such as food, education, and healthcare to millions of Palestinians, especially in Gaza. It also addresses and debunks seven common Israeli myths about UNRWA. These myths include misconceptions about UNRWA's establishment, its exclusivity to Palestinians, the possibility of UNHCR taking over its role, the agency's policy on refugee status for descendants, allegations of anti-Semitic teachings in UNRWA textbooks, collusion with Hamas, and the involvement of UNRWA employees in attacks on Israel. The paragraph emphasizes the ongoing Israeli conflict with UNRWA and its impact on the vulnerable population of Gaza, questioning the United States' involvement in the situation.

Keywords

💡Palestinian children in Gaza

Palestinian children in Gaza refers to the young population living in the Gaza Strip, a self-governing Palestinian territory that has been subject to conflict and humanitarian crises. In the context of the video, these children are depicted as facing dire conditions, including the threat of death by starvation, which underscores the urgency of the humanitarian situation in the region.

💡UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)

UNRWA is a relief agency established by the United Nations in 1949 with a specific mandate to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. It is crucial for delivering direct services such as food, education, health care, and social services to millions of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. The video discusses the importance of UNRWA and the myths surrounding its operations and relationship with the Israeli government.

💡Nakba

The term 'Nakba,' which means 'catastrophe' in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel. It is a significant historical event for Palestinians and is mentioned in the video to highlight the origins of the refugee crisis that UNRWA was established to address.

💡UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)

The UNHCR is the United Nations agency responsible for protecting and supporting refugees worldwide, except for the Palestinian refugees who fall under the specific mandate of UNRWA. The video clarifies that UNHCR was established after UNRWA and does not provide direct services in the same way that UNRWA does, emphasizing the unique role of UNRWA.

💡Refugee status inheritance

Refugee status inheritance refers to the principle under international law that the children of refugees are also considered refugees. The video argues against the myth that UNRWA inflates the refugee problem by allowing descendants of Palestinian refugees to claim refugee status, which is a standard practice for refugee status determination.

💡Anti-semitism

Anti-semitism is the discrimination against, prejudice, or hostility toward Jewish people. The video addresses the myth that UNRWA textbooks teach anti-semitic hate to Palestinian children, citing a report that found only a small percentage of textbooks contained such bias, and emphasizing that this is not a unique issue to Palestinians.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian political organization with an armed wing that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The video dispels the myth of a collaboration between UNRWA and Hamas, providing examples of tension between the two entities and highlighting that Hamas has even been at odds with UNRWA's operations.

💡Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid refers to the assistance provided for the purpose of saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity during and after emergencies. The video discusses the suspension of vital humanitarian aid to Palestinians via UNRWA, which has severe implications for the well-being of the population in Gaza.

💡Israeli military

The Israeli military, also known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is the national military organization responsible for the security of the State of Israel. The video suggests that there is an Israeli military strategy to dismantle UNRWA, which would have significant consequences for the provision of aid and services to Palestinian refugees.

💡Palestinian conspiracy theory

A 'conspiracy theory' is an explanation for an event or situation that invokes a secret plan by a powerful group or individual. In the video, the term is used to describe the Israeli plan to destroy UNRWA, which the speaker argues is not a baseless theory but a real strategy with evidence, such as testimony from a former Israeli official.

💡United States

The United States is a key ally of Israel and a significant contributor to UNRWA's funding. The video questions why the U.S. would join in what is characterized as an 'Israeli war' on UNRWA, which is providing essential services to the people of Gaza, highlighting the geopolitical complexities involved in the situation.

Highlights

Palestinian children in Gaza are facing dire conditions, with the threat of man-made famine and ongoing conflict.

Israel's conflict with UNRWA, the agency providing essential services to millions of Palestinians, continues.

UNRWA was established in 1949 with support from Israel and initially provided aid to Jewish refugees as well.

UNRWA's mandate is specific to Palestinian refugees, while UNHCR covers other refugee populations.

The children of Palestinian refugees are also considered refugees under international law.

A Trump State Department report found only a 3% presence of anti-Semitic bias in UNRWA textbooks.

Hamas has shown dissatisfaction with UNRWA, viewing it as too Western and in competition for social services provision.

Allegations of UNRWA's involvement with Hamas are disputed, with no solid evidence provided by Israel.

Reports suggest that some UNRWA employees were coerced by Israeli forces into making false claims about the agency's involvement in attacks.

There are claims that the Israeli military is actively seeking to dismantle UNRWA.

The U.S. has agreed to halt humanitarian aid to Palestinians via UNRWA over allegations involving a small fraction of its employees.

A former Israeli foreign ministry official has testified about an Israeli plan to destroy UNRWA.

The situation is framed as an Israeli war on UNRWA, with implications for the welfare of the people of Gaza.

Questions are raised about why the United States is participating in actions against UNRWA.

The narrative challenges common myths and calls for a rejection of propaganda regarding UNRWA's role and the situation in Gaza.

UNRWA's direct services in food, education, health care, and other areas are crucial for the survival of many Palestinians.

The Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 led to an insistence that UNRWA remain to care for the local population.

UNRWA's operations are under scrutiny and subject to various allegations, some of which are debunked in the transcript.

Transcripts

as Palestinian children in Gaza

literally stared to death and the

Spectre of a man-made famine looms

Israel continues its war against the

United Nations relief and works Agency

for Palestine refugees in the near East

or Ana which crucially provides Direct

Services food Education Health Care to

millions of Palestinians especially in

Gaza so time for another debunk seven

Israeli myths about Ana myth number one

unro is only for Palestinians what about

Jewish refugees well actually unro was

established in 1949 by the UN General

Assembly and Israel was one of the

countries that voted in favor of it in

fact in the wake of what Israel calls

its war of independence and what

Palestinians called the nacba and for

the first two full years of its

existence unra also provided relief to

Jewish refugees from that conflict up

until 1952 when the Israelis decided

they would take over that mission and in

1967 it was the Israelis who occupied

the West Bank in Gaza and then insisted

unrea stick around to look after the

local Palestinian population myth number

two you don't need unro you could just

have the unhcr the UN High Commissioner

for refugees which takes care of all the

other refugees in the world it could

take care of Palestinian refugees too

nope not true unroll was set up in 1949

and its mandate to deal specifically

with 1948 refugees from Palestine comes

from the UN General Assembly the unhcr

was set up a year later in 1950 and its

mandate comes from the refugee

convention which explicitly said it

didn't apply to refugees already

receiving assistance

from other un agencies also the unhcr

doesn't do Direct Services the way Ana

does myth number three unra unlike other

Refugee agencies allows the descendants

of Palestinian refugees to claim Refugee

status too and thereby inflates and

perpetuates the refugee problem sorry

what under international law the

children of refugees are also refugees

that's not a Palestinian thing that's an

Afghan thing that's a Somali thing

that's a Tibetan thing in fact undera

like the unhcr says that only fathers

not mothers can transfer Refugee status

to their descendants thereby excluding a

significant amount of Palestinians

across the world who would otherwise be

able to claim Refugee status myth number

four un textbooks teach anti-semitic

hate to Palestinian kids not true in

fact a trump State Department report

found that 97% of those textbooks

contain no anti-semitic or even

anti-israel bias 3% is still bad I know

but it's a tiny minority myth number

five Ana is in cahoot with Hamas in Gaza

actually Hamas doesn't really like Ana

never has here's a story from 10 years

ago about Hamas being peeved at Ana

because it was too Western not in line

with conservative Islamic values and a

bit of a competitor with Hamas in terms

of providing Social Services to gaza's

population in fact Hamas has been

accused of threatening and even trying

to assassinate under staff myth number

six 12 under employees were involved in

the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel

first off even if there were 12 underwar

employees who participated in that

barbarism that's 12 out of 13,000 unare

employees in Gaza less than

0.01% of the total and yet the US agreed

to Halt vital humanitarian aid for

millions of Palestinians via unrea

because of that alleged

0.01% second we don't even know if 12

employees were involved Israel has

offered no hard evidence despite

secretary blink claiming Israel's claims

on this highly credible an internal us

intelligence report says it has low

confidence that un staffers were part of

the attack and says Israel has not

shared the raw intelligence behind its

assessments and last week un said in an

internal report that some of their

employees were tortured by the Israelis

into making false claims about unrea

staff as taking part on October the 7th

but that report from ANA hasn't had as

much coverage as the initial Israeli

claims about Ana you'll be shocked to

hear and finally fin myth number seven

there is no Israeli plan to deliberately

destroy Ana that's just a Palestinian

conspiracy theory oh really a

Palestinian conspiracy theory you say

meet noga arbel a former Israeli foreign

Ministry official here she is testifying

in front of the Israeli parliament in

January

in fact this week we learned that the

Israeli military is bent on dismantling

on eliminating Ana so forget the lies

the myths the propaganda this is an

Israeli War on Ana and by extension on

the starving people of Gaza why on Earth

is the United States joining

in