World Leaders Condemn Israel's Ban on Palestinian Refugee Agency UNRWA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – World leaders have strongly criticized Israel’s decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), describing the move as “intolerable,” “illegal,” and tantamount to “collective punishment.”
The Palestinian presidency rejected the Knesset’s decision, calling it a sign of Israel’s descent into “a fascist state.”
The resistance movement Hamas labeled the law “part of the Zionist war and aggression” against Palestinians.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres defended the agency’s operations, stating that its work is “indispensable” and that “there is no alternative” to UNRWA.
China’s envoy to the UN, Fu Cong, denounced the legislation as “outrageous,” adding that Beijing “firmly opposes this decision.”
Russia also condemned the ban, calling it “terrible” and warning it would exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The United Kingdom voiced serious concerns, stating that the legislation could render UNRWA’s essential services “impossible” to carry out.
Jordan condemned the move as a “flagrant violation of international law” and Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power.
Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain criticized the ban, arguing it sets a “very serious precedent” for the UN and other multilateral organizations.
Australia expressed opposition to the decision, highlighting that UNRWA performs critical, life-saving work.
Switzerland warned of the “humanitarian, political, and legal implications” of barring the agency from operating.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib urged Israel to allow UNRWA to fulfill its UN General Assembly mandate.
Lahbib emphasized that the agency provides “life-saving services in Gaza, the West Bank—including East Jerusalem—and across Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.”
“UNRWA is crucial to regional stability,” she stated on social media platform X.
The British prime minister warned that the legislation “jeopardizes the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza,” as well as essential services in the West Bank.
“Under its international obligations, Israel must ensure sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza,” the prime minister’s statement read.
“Only UNRWA can deliver humanitarian aid at the necessary scale and pace. We honor the 222 UNRWA staff who have lost their lives in the conflict. The agency has a UN mandate to support Palestinian refugees. We call on Israeli lawmakers to allow UNRWA to continue its essential work.”
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemned the ban as part of “the Zionist war” and an “escalation in the genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli parliament passed the ban, which was introduced by members of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.
The legislation prohibits UNRWA from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories and bars Israeli officials from engaging with the agency.
Israeli military operations continue across Gaza, with reports from Al Jazeera Arabic and the Wafa news agency stating that Israeli forces burned down the UNRWA-run Al Fakhoura school in the Jabalia refugee camp and destroyed homes in the area.
In Gaza, at least 43,020 people have been killed and 101,110 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.