U.S. court rules in favor of UNRWA, upholds its immunity

A U.S. court in New York has dismissed a lawsuit against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), ruling that the agency enjoys judicial immunity.

The decision came from Federal Judge Analisa Torres, who ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case brought by families of about 100 victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, who were seeking $1 billion in damages alleging UNRWA aided Hamas.

The ruling contradicts the official position announced by the U.S. Department of Justice in April, when it said in a formal letter that UNRWA “is not immune” from the suit, describing the agency’s role as a “contributor to the heinous crimes” committed in that attack.

But Judge Torres said in her opinion that UNRWA, as a United Nations body, has not waived its immunity and is entitled to judicial protection.

Meanwhile, the families’ lawyer, Gavriel Mayron, expressed his disappointment with the ruling, saying the court “misinterpreted the core argument” they presented. He said they will appeal, calling the judge’s decision “wrong” while expressing respect for the judiciary.