UNRWA Asks UN Member States To Intervene After Israel Issues Operational Ban

JAKARTA - The head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees UNRWA called on UN member states to intervene and warned Israel's ban on UNRWA would have a negative impact on the entire Middle East.

The ban passed by the Israeli parliament on Monday is expected to severely restrict UNRWA from operating in Israeli-occupied territory. The Israeli law was sharply criticized by many Western countries and humanitarian organizations.

"Israel's actions mean UNRWA's mission to provide health, education and food services for millions of Palestinian refugees may become impossible without firm intervention from the General Assembly," UNRWA Head Philippe Lazzarini said in a letter to the UN General Assembly., Wednesday, October 30.

"The consequences for Palestinians, Israelis and the region will be very bad," he added.

Israel's ban follows their intense campaign to legitimize UNRWA when relations with the United Nations are at their lowest point in the midst of a war in Gaza.

Israel previously accused UNRWA staff of participating in the Hamas attack on October 7, but was strongly denied by the agency.

In his letter, Lazzarini said the ban could risk the failure of UNRWA operations in the West Bank including East Jerusalem), and would have a very bad impact on international responses to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"I urge member states to take action to support UNRWA in accordance with the severity of the situation and the risks," he said.