UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has issued a warning regarding Israel's recent ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The Israeli parliament passed two bills that effectively restrict UNRWA's operations within Israel and limit any contact between Israeli authorities and the agency.
Guterres expressed concern over the potential devastating consequences of these laws on Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. He emphasized the vital role UNRWA plays in providing essential services to nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, such as food, education, and medical assistance.
The UN chief highlighted that there is no alternative to UNRWA and underscored the agency's importance in the region. He warned that Israel's actions could hinder the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and impact peace and security in the area.
Guterres called on Israel to uphold its obligations under international law, emphasizing that national legislation cannot override these obligations. He stressed the indispensability of UNRWA and urged Israel to reconsider its stance on the agency.
