Lazzarini: Israeli Knesset vote on UNRWA will deepen Palestinian suffering
2024-10-28 12:00
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has expressed deep concern about the vote by the Israeli Knesset to advance a bill that would severely restrict UNRWA’s operations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“If passed into law, this bill would have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of Palestine refugees,” said Lazzarini. “It would deepen their suffering and undermine the stability of the entire region.”
The bill, which was approved by the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Thursday, would prohibit UNRWA from operating in Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It would also strip UNRWA of its mandate to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Lazzarini said that UNRWA has been providing essential services to Palestine refugees for over 70 years. These services include education, healthcare, food assistance, and shelter. “UNRWA’s work is vital to the well-being of Palestine refugees and to the stability of the region,” he said.
The Commissioner-General called on the Israeli government to reconsider the bill and to engage in dialogue with UNRWA to find a solution that respects the rights of Palestine refugees and the humanitarian mandate of UNRWA.
“The Israeli government has a responsibility to protect the rights of all people living under its control, including Palestine refugees,” said Lazzarini. “This bill would violate those rights and would have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people.”
The vote by the Knesset comes at a time of heightened tension between Israel and the Palestinians. In recent weeks, there have been a number of violent incidents in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the killing of two Israeli soldiers and the wounding of several others.
The Israeli government has responded to these incidents by increasing its military presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and by carrying out a number of raids and arrests. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the Israeli government’s actions and has called for an end to the violence.
The United Nations has also called for an end to the violence and has urged both sides to exercise restraint. The UN Security Council has held a number of meetings on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, but has been unable to agree on a resolution.
The vote by the Knesset to advance the bill on UNRWA is likely to further escalate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. It is also likely to complicate efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Lazzarini: Israeli Knesset vote on UNRWA will deepen Palestinian suffering
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