\n
Briefing ambassadors in New York on Tuesday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that the laws passed in October last year jeopardize the lives of millions of Palestinians and risks undermining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.<\/p>\n
They require that UNRWA cease its activities in the territory of the State of Israel \u2013 including the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as the Knesset defines it, in defiance of international law \u2013 as well as restricting any Government contacts with the agency or anyone acting on its behalf.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtailing our operations now \u2013 outside a political process, and when trust in the international community is so low \u2013 will undermine the ceasefire. It will sabotage Gaza\u2019s recovery and political transition<\/strong>,\u201d Mr. Lazzarini said.<\/p>\nHe called for a \u201cdecisive intervention\u201d by Council to support peace and stability<\/strong> in the occupied Palestinian territory and the broader region.<\/p>\nDisastrous consequences<\/h2>\n
Mr. Lazzarini further stressed that the full implementation of the Knesset legislation will be \u201cdisastrous\u201d.<\/p>\n
In Gaza, undermining UNRWA\u2019s operations would compromise the international humanitarian response, he said, adding that it would also degrade the capacity of the United Nations just when humanitarian assistance must be scaled up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will only worsen the already catastrophic living conditions<\/strong> of millions of Palestinians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/div>\n
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, briefs the Security Council.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Unique role<\/h2>\n
UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly to provide humanitarian and other essential services to Palestine refugees until a political solution is reached. Read our explainer on how the Gaza war has impacted UNRWA services, <\/strong><\/em>here<\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nMr. Lazzarini emphasised that its work cannot simply be transferred to other entities, as its scale and trusted relationship with communities are unmatched.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Agency\u2019s mere presence brings stability amid profound uncertainty,\u201d he said. \u201cUndermining UNRWA will sabotage Gaza\u2019s recovery and any prospects for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
In East Jerusalem, where the Knesset legislation calls for the immediate expulsion of UNRWA, 70,000 patients and 1,000 students will lose access to health and education services<\/strong>.<\/p>\nMr. Lazzarini also noted that the legislation coincides with plans to expand illegal settlements on the land currently used by the Agency.<\/p>\n
Financial and political challenges<\/h2>\n
Compounding these threats are severe financial constraints, with key donors reducing or suspending contributions.<\/p>\n
Mr. Lazzarini appealed for urgent funding to sustain UNRWA\u2019s operations, warning that its lifesaving work could abruptly end without sufficient resources.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted a disinformation campaign spearheaded by Israeli authorities that falsely accuses the Agency of supporting terrorism. Such propaganda, he said, undermines UNRWA\u2019s neutrality and puts its staff at risk.<\/p>\n
Call to action<\/h2>\n
In conclusion, Mr. Lazzarini urged Security Council members to push back against the Knesset legislation, ensure continued funding for UNRWA, and advocate for a genuine political pathway to address the plight of Palestine refugees.<\/p>\n
\u201cUNRWA was always meant to be temporary,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA fair and lasting political solution would allow the Agency to conclude its mandate, ensuring that its vital services are handed over to a functioning Palestinian state.\u201d<\/p>\n
More updates to come\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Briefing ambassadors in New York on Tuesday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that the laws passed…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[1192,646,504,190,706,389,366,2304,792],"class_list":["post-51754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-middle-east","tag-ban","tag-ceasefire","tag-council","tag-gaza","tag-hears","tag-israel","tag-security","tag-undermine","tag-unrwa"],"yoast_head":"\n
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