Israel’s transfer to ban the United Nations Aid and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) marks a “new degree” in its war with the UN, the Palestinian envoy to the UN has stated.
The Israeli parliament or Knesset authorized payments on Monday aimed toward banning UNRWA from working in Israel.
UNRWA helps Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution, occupied East Jerusalem, in addition to surrounding nations.
Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour advised the UN Safety Council on Tuesday that the Knesset’s laws to ban UNRWA “constitutes a brand new degree on this struggle towards the UN and an integral a part of an all-out assault on the Palestinian folks”.
He famous how Israel had declared UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres “persona non grata” – and had killed, detained and tortured UN employees and UN peacekeepers.
Mansour famous many nations condemned Israel’s determination to ban UNRWA.
“And but Israel nonetheless sits amongst us and utilises its seat to incite towards the UN … When will the condemnations result in actions and accountability?” Mansour questioned.
UNRWA has offered important assist, education, and healthcare throughout the Palestinian territory and to Palestinian refugees elsewhere for greater than seven many years.
However since Israel’s struggle on Gaza started final October, the company itself has suffered heavy losses, with not less than 223 of its employees killed and two-thirds of its amenities in Gaza broken or destroyed.
Danny Danon, Israel’s consultant on the UN, advised the Safety Council that UNRWA in Gaza has turn into a entrance for Hamas, the Palestinian armed group.
Israeli authorities have lengthy referred to as for the company to be dismantled, arguing that its mission is out of date and it fosters anti-Israeli sentiment amongst its employees, in its colleges and in its wider social mission. UNRWA strongly disputes this characterisation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prior to now additionally referred to as on america, Israel’s high ally and the company’s largest donor, to roll again its assist.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini referred to as the vote by Israeli lawmakers a “harmful precedent” and stated that it was the newest in an ongoing marketing campaign to discredit the company and “delegitimise its position in direction of offering human improvement help and companies to Palestine refugees”.
Israel’s determination to ban UNRWA would characterize a type of collective punishment for Gaza’s folks if absolutely applied, UN humanitarian workplace spokesperson Jens Laerke stated.
Russia, China, Qatar, European nations and rights organisations world wide additionally condemned the vote within the Israeli parliament.
Reporting from UN headquarters in New York Metropolis, Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo stated dozens of nations have expressed assist for UNRWA.
“The UN secretary-general has stated he’s going to take this concern up with the Normal Meeting (GA). There’s some motion behind the scenes within the GA to place sanctions towards Israel,” Elizondo added.
The Safety Council session got here as Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza, killing not less than 115 folks on Tuesday, together with 109 within the north of the territory, in keeping with Palestinian authorities.
“Israel has crossed each pink line, damaged each rule, defied each prohibition. When is sufficient actually sufficient? When are you going to behave? You’re the Safety Council. It’s important to attain each single one who’s in ache among the many Palestinians. That’s your responsibility,” Mansour stated on the UN Safety Council assembly.
“By ending impunity and making certain accountability, by lastly bringing to an finish this horrible injustice, let your actions match your phrases. Cease this genocide or perpetually stay silent.”
