The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, warned about the devastating consequences that the veto on the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel and the occupied territories, imposed by the Israeli parliament, will bring. According to Guterres, this measure will negatively impact the Palestinian population.
The Knesset approved two laws on Monday night to prohibit the activity of UNRWA in Israel and restrict its operational capacity in the West Bank and Gaza. These laws will come into effect in three months. The spokesman for the UN Secretariat, Stephane Dujarric, expressed his concern and pointed out that Israel, as an occupying power, has the obligation to ensure the welfare of the population and allow UN intervention in case it cannot meet their needs.
The President of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, also expressed his deep concern over the approval of the laws, warning about the collapse of humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories. According to spokesperson Sharon Birch, these measures will exacerbate an already critical humanitarian situation in the region.
The UN General Assembly will take steps to urge member states to address the issue and act on it. Although the implementation of these laws is scheduled for three months from now, the international community is already mobilized to respond to this situation.
