NEW YORK, (PIC)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Israel’s decision banning UNRWA would have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees.
In a press statement, Guterres expressed his deep concern about the adoption of the Israeli Knesset of two laws concerning the UNRWA, warning that “if implemented, they would have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian land and is harmful to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, peace and security in the region”.
“UNRWA is the principal means by which essential assistance is supplied to Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. There is no alternative to UNRWA,” Guterres said.
He warned that the implementation of the two laws “could have devastating consequences” for refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is “unacceptable.”
Guterres called on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations, adding that “National legislation cannot alter those obligations.”
He underscored that the implementation of these laws would be “detrimental” for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for peace and security in the region as a whole, reiterating that UNRWA is “indispensable.”
The UN Secretary-General said he is “bringing this matter to the attention of the UN General Assembly and will keep the Assembly closely informed as the situation develops.”
On Monday, the Israeli Knesset passed a bill that would ban UNRWA from operating in Israel, despite the US objection.
Israeli deputies endorsed the bill by 92 votes against 10 opposing votes, after years of fierce Israeli campaign on UNRWA, which has increased since the start of the war on Gaza on October 7 last year.
For his part, Adnan Abu Hasna, UNRWA’s media advisor, said Israel’s decision to ban the UN agency’s operations poses a serious threat to humanitarian work in the region, and will lead to widespread political repercussions.
Abu Hasna added, in a press statement, that UNRWA is the primary life artery for the people of Gaza, noting that prohibiting its activities would lead to the collapse of humanitarian relief operations in the Strip.
“Targeting UNRWA has become part of Israel’s war goals, which threatens the stability of the humanitarian situation and hinders international efforts to support civilians in Gaza,” he underlined.
