The Israeli Knesset voted up legislation that would withdraw recognition of the diplomatic status of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This would mean it loses diplomatic immunity, lawsuits can be filed against it, and Israeli companies cannot provide it with water, electricity, fuel, and communications infrastructure.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of UNRWA posted a response on X. “Yesterday’s vote by the Israeli parliament passing new legislation against UNRWA is outrageous,” he says. “It is a direct affront to the mandate granted to the Agency by the UN General Assembly and contrary to findings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).”
According to UNRWA, the legislation allows the Israeli government to expropriate UN properties in East Jerusalem, including its headquarters and main vocational training center. It also excludes UNRWA from Israeli laws implementing the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
