109. Chris Gunness: Israel's Opposition to UNRWA and the Campaign to Delegitimise the Organisation

Chris Gunness discusses the role and mandate of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, and the challenges it faces amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He highlights the size and scope of UNRWA's operations, providing education, healthcare, and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Chris also addresses the historical context of the Palestinian refugee crisis and the failure to find a durable solution. He explores the motivations behind Israel's opposition to UNRWA and its campaign to delegitimise the organisation. The conversation delves into the impact of the information war and the desensitisation of the Israeli population to the suffering of Palestinians. The conversation then delves into the impact of the smear campaign against UNRWA, the role of media in shaping narratives, and the asymmetry in the information war. We discuss the systematic efforts to dismantle UNRWA and the consequences of its defunding. The conversation also explores the enduring impact of the recent events in Gaza on geopolitics and the potential for a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.KeywordsUNRWA, Palestine, refugees, Gaza, genocide, humanitarian, Israel, mandate, education, healthcare, social services, history, right of return, durable solution, occupation, genocide, asymmetry, information war, desensitisation, UNRWA, smear campaign, media, information war, defunding, humanitarian organisations, Gaza, geopolitics, Israeli-Palestinian conflictKey Takeaways• UNRWA is a massive organisation that provides education, healthcare, and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.• The Palestinian refugee crisis is a result of the 1948 Middle East War and the failure to find a durable solution, including the right of return for refugees.• Israel opposes UNRWA and seeks to delegitimise the organisation due to its fear of a demographic shift and the potential loss of a Jewish majority.• The information war and asymmetry in power contribute to the desensitisation of the Israeli population to the suffering of Palestinians.• The international community must read and understand the history and context of the conflict to challenge false narratives and work towards a just and lasting solution. The smear campaign against UNRWA and the defunding of humanitarian organisations have had a significant impact on their operations and reputation.• The asymmetry in the information war, with right-wing Zionists dominating the narrative, has hindered the dissemination of accurate information.• The recent events in Gaza have further damaged the prospects for a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.• The enduring impact of the events in Gaza includes a loss of faith in international law and a potential increase in regional instability.• There is a need for independent investigations and accountability for the crimes committed during the recent conflict.