The United Nations Security Council Oct. 30 “strongly warned against any attempts to dismantle or diminish UNRWA’s operations and mandate, recognizing that any interruption or suspension of its work would have severe humanitarian consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees who depend on the Agency’s services and also implications for the region.”
In a statement adopted by consensus, reports Reuters, the UNSC “expressed their grave concern over legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset.” On Oct. 29, the Knesset passed two laws banning UNRWA from operating inside Israel and occupied Palestine. Despite pressure from Israeli allies on MKs to not approve the ban, 92 of the 120 MKs voted in favor. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini warned that UNRWA’s aid operations in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories are now at risk of collapse because of the new law.
The October 30 UN statement declared:
“The members of the Security Council emphasized the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees through essential education, health, relief and social services programs and emergency assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic.
