Head Of European Union Policy Condemns Israel's Prohibition And Label Of Terrorists Against UNRWA

Josep Borrell attended the ASEAN - European Union meeting. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday urged Israel to lift its decision to ban the United Nations Aid and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), calling it unreasonable.

"Prohibiting UNRWA and labeling it as a terrorist, even though it's not equivalent to targeting regional stability and human dignity all who benefit from the work of the UN agency", he said on social media platform X.

"We are joining many partners in urging the Israeli government to stop this nonsense," he continued.

On Monday, the Israeli Parliament approved a bill declaring UNRWA, the UN's main aid organization for Palestine, a terrorist organization and proposing to cut ties.

"This is another effort in a broader campaign to disband the agency," UNRWA spokesmanurut Touma said earlier on the bill.

"Such steps have never been heard in the history of the United Nations," he criticized.

Meanwhile, Indonesia strongly opposes systemic efforts to dissolve UNRWA, affirming its full support for the agency.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the initial ratification of three draft laws by the Israeli parliament that designated UNRWA as a terrorist organization and seeks to end UNRWA activities in Palestine," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on social media X

"Israel's systemic efforts to dissolve UNRWA are unacceptable and will eliminate the right of Palestinian refugees to return and return to their homes," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Indonesia affirms its full support for UNRWA and calls on the international community to stand firm in defending UNRWA's humanitarian mission in providing assistance to the survival of millions of Palestinians," the statement exclaimed.

It is known that UNRWA has long had strained relations with Israel. It has deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Gaza and Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be dissolved.

"UNRWA must continue to carry out its mandate, in accordance with international law and related UN resolutions," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.