Saudi Arabia Can Only Condemn Israel To Ban UNRWA From Providing Refugee Assistance In East Jerusalem
JAKARTA - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) condemned the Israeli Parliament's decision to ban the UN Aid and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees or UNRWA from working in Israel and occupied areas of East Jerusalem.
Saudi Arabia declared Israel's policy a marked violation of international law.
"The [Saudi] government affirms its firm rejection of the continued and systematic practices of the Israeli occupation authority which politically and militarily target UN agencies and aid organizations," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, quoted by Arab News, Wednesday, October 30.
This Saudi condemnation comes a day after Israeli lawmakers voted in the majority to ban UNRWA operations in the region.
SEE ALSO:
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ban was a direct attack on international legitimacy that ignored "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe".
The ban on UNRWA working also affects Palestinians hit by the food and health crisis, as well as hinders the role of the United Nations in providing important services.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accuses Israeli authorities of trying to erase Palestinian identities through "ethnic cleansing," and hindering efforts to build a comprehensive peace process.
The statement reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for UNRWA's humanitarian mission and indicated the agency's mandate took root in the 194 UN Security Council Resolution, adopted in 1948, to exercise its rights for Palestinian refugees.