Arab League calls for counter resolution to 'Israel's' UNRWA ban
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The bloc has called on multiple organizations and parliaments to pressure "Israel" into revoking its legislation and abiding by international law.
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Israeli soldiers take position as they enter the UNRWA headquarters during the ground invasion in Gaza, Thursday, February 8, 2024. (AP)
The Arab League urged the adoption of a UN resolution countering the Israeli ban of UNRWA from operating in "Israel" in a new motion on Thursday.
The call was made during a special session of the Arab League Council at the permanent representatives level in Cairo, prompted by Jordan's request to address the Arab response to the recent Israeli Knesset legislation banning UNRWA's operations in "Israel".
The meeting's resolution called for Arab representatives in New York to coordinate with ambassadors and representatives from friendly nations and the UN secretariat to seek a special session of the UN General Assembly, which established UNRWA, to discuss the implications of the law and work toward a UN resolution that counters the illegal Israeli action.
The Arab Parliament, the parliaments of Arab countries, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union were also pressed to act and influence the Israeli Knesset to revoke its ban, "considering that this decision constitutes a clear and direct violation of international norms and agreements, and to study steps to suspend the Knesset's membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union."
The league stressed the importance of maintaining essential political and financial support for UNRWA, enabling it to carry out its responsibilities under the UN mandate across its five areas of operation: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
This comes after Jordan requested an emergent bloc session to discuss and counter the Israeli legislation on Tuesday.
UN chief says UNRWA 'indispensable', irreplaceable after Israeli ban
"Israel" has frequently demanded that UNRWA be dismantled and its responsibilities moved to other UN organizations. Israeli lawmaker Sharren Haskel boldly claimed that since the UN is unwilling to "clean this organization from terrorism," Israeli measures must be taken.
"Israel" passed a law on Monday laws prohibiting the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) from working in "Israel", further hindering its efforts to aid the Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that the Israeli occupation newly approved law banning UNRWA from operating within its borders and occupied east al-Quds could lead to "devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is unacceptable.”
"There is no alternative to UNRWA," he said. "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."
The secretary-general further pledged to bring the issue before the UN General Assembly, the United Nation's main body.
Read more: 'Israel' proposes plan to UN for dismantling UNRWA
