UK, six others oppose ban on UNRWA operations in 'Israel': Statement

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Oct 2024 16:38

The UK and six other countries stress in a joint statement that world leaders must urgently protect UNRWA from the unprecedented attacks it faces from the Israeli occupation.

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Displaced Palestinians inspect their tents destroyed by "Israel's" bombardment, adjunct to a UNRWA facility west of Rafah city, Gaza Strip, on May 28, 2024. (AP)

The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and six other nations have raised concerns about a bill currently being considered by the Israeli Knesset that seeks to ban the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) within "Israel". This was expressed in a joint statement issued by the UK Foreign Office on Sunday.

"We, the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, express our grave concern over legislation currently under consideration by the Israeli Knesset, aimed at revoking the privileges and immunities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East [UNRWA], forbidding any contact between Israeli state entities, officials and UNRWA, and prohibiting any UNRWA presence within Israel," the statement read.

The foreign ministers warned that the absence of UNRWA's operations would significantly disrupt humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

"We urge the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations, keep the reserve privileges and immunities of UNRWA untouched, and live up to its responsibility to facilitate full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms as well as the provision of sorely needed basic services to the civilian population," the statement said.

Earlier this month, the head of the UN relief agency for Palestinians stated on Wednesday that its operations in the Gaza Strip are nearing a breaking point due to increasingly challenging conditions.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini told journalists at a news conference in Berlin, “I will not hide the fact that we might reach a point that we won’t be able to operate anymore", adding, “We are very near to a possible breaking point. When will it be? I don’t know. But we are very near to that."

He noted that the agency is confronted with a myriad of financial and political threats that risk its survival, alongside challenges in daily operations, as the need for aid grows more urgent due to the risks of disease and famine.

Lazzarini warned that as winter approaches, a genuine risk of famine or acute malnutrition is becoming likely, particularly with the people's immune systems weakened.