The United Nations condemns the Knesset's ban on UNRWA: disastrous consequences
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's adoption of legislative amendments aimed at halting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territory. This firm UN stance comes at a time of unprecedented tensions in the region, posing existential challenges to international humanitarian work.
Details of the UN position and legal warnings
In an official statement, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, affirmed that these amendments are not merely an administrative measure, but rather an attempt to obstruct the Agency's ability to implement its mandate as entrusted to it by the UN General Assembly. Dujarric emphasized that UNRWA is not only an independent organization, but an integral part of the UN system, and therefore the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains fully applicable to the Agency, its facilities, and its staff, making any infringement upon it a violation of international conventions.
UNRWA: Historical Context and Pivotal Role
UNRWA was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 302 in 1949 to provide direct relief and employment programs for Palestine refugees following the 1948 Nakba. For over seven decades, the agency has been a lifeline for millions of refugees in its five fields of operation: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA provides essential services, including education, healthcare, relief, and social services, making it a cornerstone of social stability in the region.
The repercussions of the decision and the risks of humanitarian collapse
The Israeli decision carries serious repercussions that extend beyond the political dimension to the heart of the humanitarian crisis, particularly in the Gaza Strip, whose residents rely almost entirely on UNRWA aid amidst the ongoing war. Halting the agency's operations would deprive hundreds of thousands of children of education, halt vaccination campaigns and primary healthcare, and cut off food assistance to the most vulnerable. Regionally, undermining the agency's work could lead to instability in refugee-hosting countries, threatening regional security and peace.
The Secretary-General reiterated that UNRWA plays an indispensable role and that there is no current alternative that can replace the Agency’s extensive network and long experience in serving the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities in protecting this UN institution.
