The Arab League's Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law cutting electricity and water supplies to offices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), describing the move as part of a long-standing campaign targeting the agency.
In a statement Tuesday, the AL said the law constitutes a continuation of illegal legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset banning UNRWA’s operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, in blatant violation of the privileges and immunities of United Nations organizations.
The statement added that the measure represents a flagrant challenge to the UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s obligations toward the United Nations, international organizations and other states in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
The AL warned that the law, which entered into force immediately upon its approval, would have catastrophic repercussions and would undermine UNRWA’s ability to carry out its UN-mandated mission of providing essential services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where the agency plays a key role in reconstruction efforts.
The Arab League General Secretariat urged the international community, including states, bodies and institutions, to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities and confront Israeli decisions and practices targeting UNRWA, including by taking punitive measures against the occupying power to compel it to rescind such laws and comply with international law and international legitimacy resolutions.
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