UNRWA chief: Agency enduring ‘darkest moment’, as Israeli laws threaten operations
November 13, 2024
Jerusalem – The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned that the agency is facing its “darkest moment” as new Israeli laws threaten its work.
Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s commissioner-general, said in a statement on Sunday that the recently passed Israeli “Regularization Law” and the proposed “Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law” pose a “grave threat” to UNRWA’s operations.
The Regularization Law, which came into effect in July, allows Israel to revoke the residency status of Palestinians who have been living in the occupied West Bank for more than 10 years. The Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law, which is still being debated in the Israeli parliament, would make it more difficult for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to obtain Israeli citizenship.
Lazzarini said that the passage of these laws is “a clear attempt to undermine UNRWA’s ability to provide essential services to Palestine refugees.” He said that the agency is “deeply concerned” about the impact that these laws will have on the lives of Palestine refugees, who rely on UNRWA for food, shelter, education, and healthcare.
“These laws are not only a threat to UNRWA’s operations, but they are also a threat to the human rights of Palestine refugees,” Lazzarini said. “UNRWA calls on Israel to reconsider these laws and to work with the international community to find a just and lasting solution to the plight of Palestine refugees.”
UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide assistance to Palestine refugees who were displaced from their homes as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The agency currently provides assistance to more than 5 million Palestine refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The Israeli government has long been critical of UNRWA, accusing the agency of perpetuating the problem of Palestine refugees and of being biased against Israel. In 2018, the United States, which is the largest donor to UNRWA, cut off its funding to the agency.
The passage of the Regularization Law and the proposed Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law has further strained relations between Israel and UNRWA. Lazzarini said that the agency is “deeply disappointed” by the passage of these laws and called on Israel to reconsider its position.
“UNRWA remains committed to providing essential services to Palestine refugees,” Lazzarini said. “We will continue to work with the international community to find a just and lasting solution to the plight of Palestine refugees.”
UNRWA chief: Agency enduring ‘darkest moment’, as Israeli laws threaten operations
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