Israel has passed two laws that prohibit the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) from working in Israel, and in the areas under its control.
Many countries, including the US, UK and Germany, have expressed serious concern about the move.
Before the vote, the US State Department said the agency had played a “critical” role in distributing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Almost the entire population of the area of more than two million depends on aid and assistance from UNRWA.
Israel accuses UNRWA of being affiliated with Hamas, saying that some members of this organization were involved in the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
UNRWA has been providing a variety of services and support including health care and education to millions of Palestinians in Gaza for decades.
The Commissioner-General of this organization, Philippe Lazzarini, said that this decision will deepen the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Since the war broke out last year in Gaza, the presence of this center on the ground has seen it become an important part of the efforts to get help to the common people, almost all of whom depend on aid to survive.
Mr Lazzarini said in a statement: “The vote of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) against UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It is against the UN Charter and violates the obligations of the State of Israel under international law.”
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