UN chief sends letter to Israeli PM expressing concerns over UNRWA ban

By Xinhua Published: Oct 31, 2024 10:07 AM

A shelter affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is pictured in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 29, 2024. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his concerns over the new legislations that banned a UN agency's operations, a UN spokesperson said. (Photo: Xinhua)

A UN vehicle is seen near a shelter affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 29, 2024. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his concerns over the new legislations that banned a UN agency's operations, a UN spokesperson said. (Photo: Xinhua)

People fetch water at a shelter affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 29, 2024. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his concerns over the new legislations that banned a UN agency's operations, a UN spokesperson said. (Photo: Xinhua)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his concerns over the new legislations that banned a UN agency's operations, a UN spokesperson said.

The Israeli parliament passed two laws on Monday to prohibit the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in the country, and ban Israeli authorities from any contact with the agency.

Guterres outlined in the letter "the issues of international law that have been raised by this law," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said at a daily briefing.

"Obviously, if implemented, it is clear that it will have a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation of Palestinians," Dujarric said.

In a statement issued on Monday, Guterres stressed that UNRWA is the principal means by which essential assistance is supplied to Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory. "There is no alternative to UNRWA."

He warned that the new laws could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees, calling it "unacceptable."

The laws would be "detrimental for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for peace and security in the region as a whole," Guterres said, urging Israel to adhere to the UN Charter and international law, including humanitarian law and provisions regarding UN privileges and immunities.

Before the legislations were passed, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Australia issued a statement expressing "grave concern," Reuters reported. Other countries, including Türkiye, Qatar, Ireland and Norway, voiced their opposition to Israel's latest decision.

Dujarric said the UN chief is heartened by the statements of support that have come in for UNRWA, adding that there has been an expression of unity "from a number of countries that often don't agree on much, in their support."