The UN should take a tough position against Israel’s decision to ban the activities of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), including freezing Israel’s membership in international organizations, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, the former Minister of Social Development of Palestine Ahmed Majdalani said.
⠀
“Israel’s membership in all international organizations should be suspended and it should be prohibited from playing any role in them in view of the arbitrariness that Israel commits against UNRWA and other international organizations that are being persecuted by it, including UNICEF and UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon ),” he said.
⠀
On Monday, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) approved bills aimed at banning UNRWA activities in Israel and in the territories it controls.
⠀
Previously, Israel announced the alleged involvement of some UNRWA employees in the attack of the Palestinian Hamas movement on this country on October 7, 2023. However, as follows from the UN report on the agency’s activities, Israel was never able to provide evidence that would confirm that UNRWA employees were involved in terrorist activities.
⠀
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the Israeli parliament’s decision a collective punishment, saying it was contrary to the UN Charter and would lead to greater suffering for the Palestinians.
⠀
A number of countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, opposed the ban on UNRWA’s work in Israel.
