10/30/2024–|Last updated: 10/30/202407:17 PM (Mecca time)
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that the attack on the agency was politically motivated to get rid of Palestinian refugees, following the Israeli Knesset’s vote on the decision to ban the agency.
Lazzarini stressed that “Israel must retract the decision to ban the agency,” stressing at the same time that the Gaza Strip had been systematically destroyed.
Earlier, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA said, “The decision issued by the Knesset to ban our activities is unprecedented, sets a dangerous precedent, and is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations.”
Lazzarini considered banning the agency’s services as “collective punishment because it is a decision that will deepen the suffering of the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip, where people have lived for more than a year of hell.”
The United Nations, the European Union, and other Arab and Western countries also condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of the draft law.
The Palestinian presidency announced on Tuesday its intention to move politically to discuss the possibility of holding a session of the UN Security Council, considering the UNRWA issue a political issue related to the right of return.
The Israeli law – which was approved by the Knesset on Monday evening, in the second and third readings – stipulates that “UNRWA will not have any representation, will not provide any service and will not carry out any activity, directly or indirectly, in the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.” This decision is expected to enter into force within 90 days.
According to the law, the 1967 agreement – which allowed UNRWA to operate in Israel – will be cancelled, and thus the agency’s activities in the country will cease and any contact between Israeli officials and its employees will be prohibited.
Israel claims that UNRWA employees contributed to the Al-Aqsa flood attack on October 7, 2023, and that the agency’s education system supports terrorism and hatred, which was later proven to be untrue.
UNRWA also denied the validity of Israel’s allegations, and the United Nations confirmed that the agency is neutral and focuses exclusively on supporting refugees.
Over the years, UNRWA has faced a state of Israeli restrictions in an attempt to dismantle it, and within the framework of liquidating the Palestinian cause, according to UN and Palestinian officials.
The Palestinians’ need for UNRWA services is increasing in light of the genocide launched by Israel in Gaza since October 7, 2023, which left more than 144,000 martyrs and wounded, amid massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of dozens of children.