Multiple countries condemn Israel's ban on UNRWA activities

The governments of Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Slovenia have publicly condemned Israel's decision to suspend the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The disapproval was expressed in a joint statement released by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The statement notes, “The governments of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemn the approval by the Knesset of legislation to prevent UNRWA from operating in the occupied Palestinian territory.

UNRWA has a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly. The work of the Agency is essential and irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, and particularly in the current context in Gaza. The legislation approved by the Knesset sets a very serious precedent for the work of the United Nations and for all organizations of the multilateral system.

Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain will continue to work with donor and host countries to ensure the viability of UNRWA's work and its humanitarian role.”

On October 28, the Knesset passed a law prohibiting UNRWA from maintaining offices, providing services, or conducting any activities, directly or indirectly, within Israeli territory. The law received support from 92 lawmakers, with 10 opposing it.

The draft law, which had been approved by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee earlier in October, was motivated by claims regarding the involvement of UNRWA employees in an attack on Israel orchestrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials have consistently asserted that many UNRWA employees are linked to the military wing of Hamas.

By Vafa Guliyeva