Jerusalem, 19 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued a statement commending countries that refrained from supporting the extension of UNRWA’s (UN Relief Works Agency in Gaza) mandate to operate in the vote that was held at the UN on Wednesday. The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to extend UNRWA’s mandate.
Months ago Israel outlawed the continued operations of UNWRA within its territory and sent the UN proof of the organization’s ties with the Hamas terrorist organization, including about UNWRA workers who took part in the October 7 massacre.
“The significant increase in the number of countries opposing (10 compared to 3), alongside the sharp drop in those supporting (from 165 to 149), is encouraging and important,” he said. “It’s worth noting that some of the countries that abstained are themselves donors to UNRWA.”
“This reflects the beginning of a recognition within the international community of UNRWA’s negative role, which was infiltrated by Hamas, and whose employees participated in the Oct. 7th massacre. Israel will not cooperate with UNRWA, in accordance with the law passed by the Knesset,” added Sa’ar.
“UNRWA is part of the problem. It is not part of the solution,” he declared.
The United States, Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, North Macedonia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Tonga voted against the resolution.
Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Latvia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Micronesia, Nauru, and Samoa all abstained.
“This is a clear message to the UN and to UNRWA: the old reality is over!,” declare Sa’ar.