The adoption of two new laws by the Israeli Parliament prohibiting the activities of UNRWA (the United Nations Rescue Office for Palestinian Refugees) on its territory arouses unprecedented global indignation.
This UN agency, a pillar of humanitarian aid since 1949, is now qualified as a “terrorist” group by the Hebrew State, a qualification that shocks the international community.
Faced with this controversial decision, conviction reactions are increasing. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres firmly denounced this initiative, stressing that there is “no alternative” to UNRWA. Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the agency, warns against the dramatic consequences for the Palestinian population, particularly in Gaza where the inhabitants are going through “more than a year of absolute hell”.
Unanimous condemnation worldwide
The ethical dimension of this decision is particularly pointed out by the international community. The World Health Organization describes the situation as intolerable “, while several European countries, including Ireland and Spain, denounce a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
Jordan does not hesitate to speak of an “political assassination” attempt by UNRWA, while China and Russia describe the decision to be “scandalous”. The United Kingdom expresses its “serious concern”, stressing that only UNRWA can provide humanitarian aid at the necessary scale.
This Israeli decision comes in an already tense context, while the agency, which supports millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, faces major financial challenges following the suspension of American funding. The international community is now concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that this ban could have, particularly for the most vulnerable populations in Gaza and West Bank.
