NEW YORK, November 1, 2024 (WAFA) – The Bureau of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee has denounced the Israeli Knesset’s adoption of two bills in regard to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to outright ban the Agency and strip it of its privileges and immunities as a UN entity, obstructing its ability to carry out its essential operations.
“This unprecedented illegal action by Israel, the Occupying Power, contravenes the United Nations Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, and countless relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and directly violates Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power under international humanitarian law,” said the bureau in a press statement.
The statement added, “As affirmed by the International Court of Justice, Israel has no entitlement to sovereignty or to sovereign powers in any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, due to its status as an Occupying Power. Therefore, the Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA is as unlawful as the occupation itself, which must end as swiftly as possible, as determined by the Court and General Assembly resolution ES-10/24.”
The Committee Bureau called upon the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Member States to categorically reject Israel’s decision, demand its immediate reversal, and insist that Israel respect UNRWA’s mandate, immediately cease all attacks on the Agency and its humanitarian operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
The Committee Bureau also warned against Israel’s exploitation of illegal actions, such as the UNRWA ban legislation, to distract the international community’s attention from the urgent need to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire, halt the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, ensure the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance in Gaza, fully implement General Assembly resolution ES-10/24, and revive a credible political process rooted in international law towards the achievement of a just and lasting peace.
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