The United Nations and other countries around the world have denounced Israel after its parliament passed two laws that label the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) a “terrorist” group and ban the humanitarian organization from operate on Israeli soil.
The legislation, approved Monday, would – if implemented – prevent UNRWA from providing life-saving aid to Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank.
UNRWA was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees expelled from their homes during the creation of Israel. It remains the main organization providing humanitarian services in Gaza and supports millions of Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan. and Syria.
Here’s a look at the global reaction to Israel’s decision:
Palestine
The Palestinian presidency has rejected and condemned the Israeli legislation.
“We will not allow this. The Knesset’s overwhelming vote reflects Israel’s transformation into a fascist state,” said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, presidential spokesman in Ramallah.
Hamas also denounced the move, saying it considers the bill “a part of the Zionist war and aggression against our people”, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) called it “escalation of genocide” against the Palestinians.
The United Nations
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called UNRWA’s work “indispensable” and said there was “no alternative” to the agency.
“The implementation of these laws could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is unacceptable,” he said, urging Israel to “act in accordance with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law. “.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, meanwhile, said the Knesset decision sets a “dangerous precedent” because it “opposes the United Nations Charter and violates the obligations of the State of Israel under international law.
“These bills will only worsen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in #Gaza where people are going through more than a year of hell,” he wrote on X.
The vote of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against @UNRWA This evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the United Nations Charter and violates the obligations of the State of Israel under international law.
This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit…
– Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) October 28, 2024
China
Fu Cong, China’s envoy to the UN, called the Israeli decision “scandalous.”
“We are strongly opposed to this decision. As I said, this is an outrageous decision and we believe that UNRWA has played a key role in maintaining a lifeline for the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he told reporters in New York .
Russia
Vasily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, called Israel’s UNRWA ban “terrible” and said it was making the situation in Gaza worse. He also called on Israel’s main ally, the United States, to “pay UNRWA its dues to demonstrate its commitment to the agency.”
The United States withdrew its funding from UNRWA after Israel accused some agency personnel of participating in Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 – a decision by the United States that the Critics have called it disproportionate.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern and said the Israeli legislation “risked making UNRWA’s essential work for the Palestinians impossible.” He called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “simply unacceptable” and said Israel must ensure sufficient aid reaches civilians in the enclave.
“Only UNRWA can provide humanitarian assistance at the scale and pace needed,” he said.
Jordan
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” the Israeli decision, calling it a “blatant violation of international law and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power” in Palestine. He warned that Israel’s campaign “to politically assassinate UNRWA” would have “catastrophic consequences.”
Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain
The governments of the four European countries – all of which have recognized the Palestinian state – 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 in the multilateral system. »
Australia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said UNRWA does life-saving work and her government opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to “severely restrict” the agency’s operations.
“Australia once again calls on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the (International Court of Justice) to allow the provision of basic services and large-scale humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” she wrote on x.
Belgium
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib urged Israeli authorities to let UNRWA carry out its mandate ordered by the United Nations General Assembly throughout the Middle East. Lahbib said the agency provided “vital services in Gaza, the West Bank – including East Jerusalem – and across Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.”
“UNRWA is crucial for regional stability,” she wrote on X.
Swiss
The Swiss Foreign Ministry said in an article on X that it was “concerned about the humanitarian, political and legal implications” of Israeli laws prohibiting cooperation with UNRWA.
World Health Organization
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said UNRWA was an “irreplaceable lifeline” for the Palestinian people over the past seven decades.
“UNRWA was created by UN member states. “Today’s decision by the Israeli parliament banning UNRWA from its work to save the lives and protect the health of millions of Palestinians will have devastating consequences,” he said in a post on X.
“This is intolerable. This contravenes Israel’s obligations and responsibilities and threatens the lives and health of all those dependent on UNRWA.
