Adalah: During Hearing on Israel’s Anti-UNRWA Laws, Supreme Court Adopts State Narrative and Urges Petitioners to Withdraw Petition
Today, 3 August 2026, the Israeli Supreme Court concluded its hearing on a petition filed by Adalah on behalf of 10 Palestinian refugee families and the NGO Gisha, challenging the constitutionality of three laws aimed at dismantling the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Read more about the petition and case developments here: Shaher Alqam v. The Knesset et al. (Challenge to Israel’s anti-UNRWA Laws)
The hearing took place after a year and a half of repeated court delays, even as the ongoing implementation of these laws continues to inflict severe violations on fundamental rights of Palestinian refugees.
During the hearing, the court effectively accepted the state’s rationale that it holds no legal responsibility toward the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, in complete contradiction of the laws of occupation and Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, while asserting that it must merely offer alternative solutions in illegally annexed East Jerusalem. Justices based their entire line of questioning on the premise that Israel can unilaterally replace UNRWA. The court accepted this claim at face value without examining the legality of these legislative measures or considering the catastrophic consequences for hundreds of thousands of refugees reliant on UNRWA services.
Crucially, the court ignored the petition’s main argument, concerning the violation of fundamental human rights, under both domestic and international law. Deliberations focused almost exclusively on administrative powers, ignoring the status of Palestinian refugees and UNRWA’s mandate under international law. The court further recommended that the petitioners withdraw the petition, signaling its refusal to intervene against the ongoing effort to nullify the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Dr. Suhad Bishara, Adalah’s Legal Director and lead counsel on the petition, stated:
“During today’s hearing, the Supreme Court demonstrated its total refusal to engage with the status of Palestinian refugees or their rights under international law. Instead of subjecting the state’s violations to judicial scrutiny, the court’s line of questioning focused entirely on state authority and the feasibility of replacing UNRWA, culminating in a push for us to withdraw the petition. This approach signals the court’s readiness to shield state actions aimed at dismantling UNRWA and stripping Palestinian refugees of protections under international law.”
