EU warns of ‘disastrous consequences’ of bill banning UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Israel.
The European Union has said it is deeply concerned by an Israeli bill that would ban the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Israel and likely reduce aid distribution in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. the war.
Earlier this week, an Israeli parliamentary committee approved a bill that would ban UNRWA from operating on Israeli territory and end all contact between the government and the UN agency. The bill must be finally approved by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
“The European Union expresses its serious concern regarding the UNRWA bill currently being discussed in the Israeli parliament,” she said in a statement released on Saturday.
The EU has underlined its strong support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ position on the bill which, if passed, could have “disastrous consequences” on the capacity of the UN agency. United Nations to assist and protect Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
“The EU urges the Israeli authorities to ensure that UNRWA is allowed to continue its crucial work, in accordance with its mandate adopted by the United Nations General Assembly,” the EU noted.
“UNRWA provides essential services to millions of people in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and across the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, and is a pillar of regional stability . It also plays a fundamental role in ensuring conditions on the ground for a credible path to the two-state solution.
The EU is seriously concerned by the Israeli draft law on @UNRWAwhich would have disastrous consequences.
The EU strongly supports the UNSG @AntonioGuterres” and urges Israel to ensure that UNRWA is allowed to continue its crucial work.
– Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 12, 2024
Israel has for years campaigned against UNRWA, the main organization providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories and providing services to Palestinian refugees in other countries since 1949, claiming it has ties to “terrorists” and is pushing for its closure.
Earlier this year, Israel claimed that some agency personnel participated in Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, leading more than a dozen international donors to suspend their support.
The UN opened an investigation into Israel’s accusations and fired nine staff members, while the cases of the others were still under review. However, most donors have since reinstated their funding.