Israel's ban on activities by the United Nations Aid and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) violates not only international law but also goes against the provisions of the Jewish state's acceptance into the United Nations organization, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.
"The health care system has been destroyed, which has had a negative impact on children's access to medical services," Nebenzya said at a UN Security Council meeting requested by Russia regarding the situation of children in the Gaza Strip.
"In these conditions, UNRWA once again shows its uniqueness and lack of alternatives, as its activities in occupied Palestinian territories are threatened with being banned as a result of the law adopted by Knesset (Israeli parliament)," he explained.
He further explained that the decision violated not only international humanitarian law norms, but also the 1946 Convention on the Special Rights and Immunity of the United Nations, whose guarantor is the Secretary General of the organization.
"These decisions contradict the relevant decisions of the UN General Assembly and contradict the requirements for Israel's acceptance of the United Nations in 1949, which includes the implementation of the two main resolutions of the General Assembly - 181 with plans to distribute Palestine and 194 to Palestinian refugees," Nebenzya explained.
The Russian Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations stressed that the termination of UNRWA's work "will cause catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable populations, especially children."
"This cannot be tolerated," said Nebenzya.
It is known that Knesset on October 28 passed a law prohibiting UNRWA activities in the country and occupied Palestinian territories.
A total of 92 lawmakers voted in favor of the document, while 10 lawmakers voted against it. That will take effect 90 days after completion.
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The law prohibits UNRWA from owning offices, providing services, or carrying out any activities directly or indirectly in Israeli territory.
The bill was drafted based on information about the agency's employee involvement in an attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group led by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Israel has repeatedly claimed that many UNRWA employees were involved in the activities of militant groups.
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