Palestine insists Israel has no sovereignty over occupied territories

Residents wait for humanitarian aid to arrive. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Authority insists that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied territory of the country, highlighting the ban on a number of international humanitarian aid organizations.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Wednesday condemned Israel's arbitrary decision to cancel the operating permits of 37 international humanitarian aid organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

In its statement, the ministry rejected Israel's reasons for the ban, stressing that these organizations provide humanitarian, health and environmental support that is essential for Palestinians, especially in Gaza, amid Israel's ongoing aggression, starvation tactics and attacks on refugee camps in the West Bank, quoted from WAFA (31/12).

Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, while the Palestinians welcome the work of internationally and nationally recognized organizations that operate in accordance with established humanitarian standards.

The ministry described Israel's actions as piracy, intimidation, and violations of international laws and norms, including the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's obligations to humanitarian organizations.

Israel, continued the ministry, seeks to eliminate witnesses to its crimes and prevent institutions from supporting the Palestinian people, especially in sectors such as child protection, health, education, water and refugee assistance.

In this regard, the ministry called on the international community and the United Nations to reject Israel's actions and take punitive measures to protect humanitarian work, maintain civil liberties in Palestine, and protect the operations of national and international civil society organizations.

The ministry also urged the countries hosting these organizations to take firm steps against Israel for violating international law and human rights.