The Israeli parliament has passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating inside the occupied lands.
The move has been widely condemned by the world.
Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by the Israeli legislation, adding that the implementation of these laws would be “detrimental” to the resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
“There is no alternative to UNRWA,” the UN chief said in a statement.
“The implementation of the laws could have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is unacceptable,” he continued.
“I call on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including under international humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations. National legislation cannot alter those obligations.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said UNRWA does life-saving work and that her government opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to “severely restrict” the agency’s operations.
“Australia again calls on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the ICJ to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza,” she wrote on X.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said UNRWA has been an “irreplaceable lifeline” for the Palestinian people for the past seven decades.
“UNRWA was created by the UN member states. Today’s decision by the Israeli parliament barring UNRWA from its life-saving and health-protecting work on behalf of millions of Palestinians will have devastating consequences,” he said in a post on X.
“This is intolerable. It contravenes Israel’s obligations and responsibilities, and threatens the lives and health of all those who depend on UNRWA.”
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly condemned” the move, describing it as a “flagrant violation of international law and the obligations of Israel as the occupying power” in Palestine, according to the Petra news agency.
Sufyan Al-Qudah, a spokesman for the ministry, called for immediate action to protect the Palestinian people and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), warning that the Israeli campaign “aimed at assassinating UNRWA politically” would have “catastrophic consequences”.
He also said that “Israel’s attempts to target UNRWA and its symbolism, which emphasises the right of Palestinian refugees to return and compensation in accordance with international law, are doomed to failure”.
Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain decry Israel’s UNRWA ban
The governments of the four European countries – all of which have recognized Palestinian statehood – issued a joint statement condemning the Knesset’s targeting of the agency.
“UNRWA has a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly,” the statement said.
“The legislation approved by the Knesset sets a very serious precedent for the work of the United Nations and for all organizations of the multilateral system.”
The four countries said they would “continue to work with donor and host countries to ensure the viability of UNRWA’s work and its humanitarian role”.
Hamas, PIJ slam Israeli bill banning UNRWA
Hamas has condemned the Israeli legislation that bans UNRWA, saying it considers the bill as “part of the Zionist war and aggression against our people”.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Palestinian armed group, also denounced the Israeli move, calling it “an escalation in the genocide” against Palestinians, according to a separate statement.
Earlier, a spokesman for the Palestinian presidency in Ramallah also spoke out against the legislation, saying: “We reject and condemn the legislation. We will not allow this. The overwhelming vote of the Knesset reflects Israel’s transformation into a fascist state.”
The Chinese ambassador to the UN said that it was a very bad decision. He condemned it and said Israel needs to rethink this.
The Russian ambassador to the UN as well. He said that this decision by the Israeli parliament makes things even more complicated, particularly in Gaza. He also said it was a terrible decision.
Barbara Woodward, the UK’s ambassador to the UN, actually made comments about it in the Security Council chamber.
Israeli Parliament Bans UNRWA
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