Israel’s Parliament to Vote on Restricting UN Refugee Agency Amid UK Concerns
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Roshan Amiri
- . October 28, 2024
- . Update: October 28, 2024 5:55 pm
The Knesset parliament of Israel is set to vote on bills that could limit the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and restrict its work in Gaza and the West Bank. This move has drawn criticism, with UK Middle East minister Hamish Falconer warning that it could harm Israel’s democratic reputation, especially during a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Falconer emphasized that work of global organisation UNRWA is important in providing aid, including food, water, and healthcare, to Palestinians. He also noted that blocking this assistance could damage stand of Israel on the global stage.
In his statement Falconer said: “We are deeply concerned by legislation currently under consideration by the Israeli Knesset which would critically undermine Unrwa. It is neither in Israel’s interest nor realistic.
“Given the agency’s vital role in delivering aid and essential services at a time when more aid should be getting into Gaza, it is deeply harmful to Israel’s international reputation as a democratic country that its lawmakers are taking steps that would make the delivering of food, water, medicines and healthcare more difficult.”
The UK, along with six other European nations, released a joint statement urging Israel to reconsider, saying Unrwa’s humanitarian mission is vital.
UNRWA posted a tweet about it:
https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1850481470907048259
As the vote approaches, international attention is focused on whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might step in to halt the legislation.
