UN Secretary General: UNRWA Banned, Israel Brings Consequences Of Destroying

Polio Vaccination for children in Gaza carried out by UN Agency officers for UNRWA / UNRWA Palestinian refugees

JAKARTA - Israel's ban on Palestinian refugee bodies in the United Nations (UNRWA) could have devastating consequences.

This was conveyed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after the Israeli parliament passed two draft laws prohibiting the UN Aid and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out activities in Israel, and the law prohibits the Israeli government from making contact with UNRWA.

The law, called Guterres, strongly limits UNRWA's movement to operating in Israeli-occupied areas including Gaza.

"The implementation of the law could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees in Palestinian occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, which is unacceptable," Guterres said.

"There is no alternative other than UNRWA," he continued.

UNRWA, which began with helping about 750,000 Palestinian refugees in 1950, now serves nearly 6 million refugees in the Middle East, including in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank, by providing basic necessities including food, education, and medical services.

Israel's actions will hurt the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace and security in the region.

"UNRWA IS VERY MUCH NEEDED," said Guterres.

The UN Secretary-General also urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.

"National laws cannot change these obligations," he said.