UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his deep concern over the adoption by the Knesset of Israel of two laws which would likely prevent UNRWA´s continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
“UNRWA is the principal means by which essential assistance is supplied to Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. There is no alternative to UNRWA,” the Secretary-General said in a statement.
The implementation of the laws could have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which Guterres says is “unacceptable”.
“I call on Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including under international humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations. National legislation cannot alter those obligations,” the Secretary-General said.
Guterres has brought the matter to the attention of the UN General Assembly, which has mandated UNRWA´s work. He says 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.
“As I said before, UNRWA is indispensable,” Guterres said.
Israel´s actions against UNRWA set a dangerous precedent
Philippe Lazzarini the director of UNRWA says the vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against UNRWA is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. He says it opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.
“This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine Refugees,” Lazzarini said in a statement.
“These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell.”
Lazzarini points out that the decision will deprive over 650,000 girls and boys there from education, putting at risk an entire generation of children.
“These bills increase the suffering of the Palestinians and are nothing less than collective punishment.”
Letter to the General Assembly
In a letter to Philémon Yang, the President of the General Assembly, Lazzarini warned that UNRWA ability to implement the mandate given to it by the General Assembly may become impossible.
“The legislation comes after a year of blatant disregard for UNRWA staff lives, premises and humanitarian operations in Gaza, and after intense diplomatic campaigns by the Government of Israel targeting UNRWA’s donors with disinformation to undermine funding.”
UN officials united in support UNRWA
Heads of UN Agencies and Senior UN Officials have today published statements in support of UNRWA.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO):
”UNRWA is an irreplaceable lifeline to the Palestinian people…(The) decision by the Israeli parliament barring UNRWA from its life-saving and health-protecting work on behalf of millions of Palestinians will have devastating consequences. This is intolerable.”
Joyce Msuya, Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):
“Full solidarity with UNRWA and its brave teams whose work is essential to millions of Palestinians. This decision is dangerous and outrageous. There is no alternative to UNRWA.”
Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM):
“UNRWA is irreplaceable. It’s not just an aid agency. It provides education, healthcare, social services and protection for Palestinian refugees. UNRWA promotes human development, dignity and rights until a just and durable solution is found. We must support & protect it.”
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP):
“UNRWA is indispensable in providing lifesaving aid and social services in Gaza. If implemented, this decision will have devastating consequences on food security and much more for the most vulnerable people.”
Catherine Russell, Executive director of the UN Children´s Fund (UNICEF):
“UNRWA is crucial in delivering lifesaving aid to Palestinian children and families. This decision is dangerous. The lives and futures of Palestinian children are at stake.”
Tor Wennesland the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
“Unilateral steps, such as this legislation, which seek to not only undermine United Nations’ mandated work, but threaten to further set back a political resolution to the conflict on the basis of UN resolutions and international law must be avoided.”
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“We must never forget the value of UN Charter and the institutions it underpins. This decision is deeply troubling for many reasons – with potential dire impacts on the human rights of those depending on UNRWA’s assistance.”
Achim Steiner, Adminstrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP):
“I echo the UN Secretary-General: UNRWA is a vital lifeline in these desperate times. Israel’s two new laws, if implemented, could have devastating consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees. The principles of the UN Charter and int’l humanitarian law must prevail.”
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