“This is the latest action in an ongoing campaign to discredit the UNRWA and delegate its role in providing human development assistance and services to Palestinian refugees,” Mr. Lazzarini said in a parcel on X, following reports of the long-awaited vote taken by Knesset members, by a margin of 92-10.
Mr. Lazzarini added that the two bills, which are expected to take effect within 90 days, “will only deepen the suffering” of Palestinians, especially in Gaza, where people have endured “more than a decade of suffering.” five absolute hells”.
“These bills add to the suffering of Palestinians and are nothing short of collective punishment,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General issued a statement in New York late on Monday warning that if implemented the law would “could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work”.
António Guterres emphasized that UNRWA provides the main way to deliver aid and would have “devastating consequences” if Israel outlawed the agency.
“I am bringing this issue to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly and we will keep the General Assembly closely informed as the situation develops,” Mr. Guterres said.
Almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip depends on humanitarian aid, with UNRWA the “backbone” of United Nations relief efforts in the war-torn enclave.
In addition to helping provide food and other essentials, UNRWA also plays a key role in monitoring ongoing polio vaccination operations.
There is no alternative to UNRWA
The importance of UNRWA has been reiterated by a number of countries as well as by UN leaders, including the Secretary-General, who has described the agency’s historic and leading humanitarian role as “ irreplaceable”.
Mr. Lazzarini further stated that ending UNRWA and its services “will not deprive Palestinians of their refugee status.”
“That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a just and lasting solution to the plight of the Palestinian people is found,” he said.
“Failure to roll back these bills would weaken our shared multilateral regime established after World War II,” he added.
UNRWA is establish of the General Assembly in December 1949 “for implementation […] direct relief and employment programs” for Palestinian refugees. It began operations on May 1, 1950.
‘Dangerous and outrageous’
In a post on X, the acting head of the United Nations aid coordination office, OCHAexpressed “full solidarity with UNRWA… whose work is essential for millions of Palestinians.”
Joyce Msuya added that the decision was “dangerous and outrageous. There is no alternative to UNRWA.”
Many world leaders expressed deep concern at the consequences of this move by Israeli parliamentarians, including European Union countries, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ministry Spokesperson Diplomacy in Washington.
