RAMALLAH, December 30, 2025 (WAFA) – The Palestine Liberation Organization's Department of Refugee Affairs condemned the Israeli Knesset's final approval on Tuesday (in its second and third readings) of a bill to cut off water and electricity supplies to UNRWA headquarters and offices in occupied East Jerusalem. The bill passed with 59 votes and entered into force immediately.
In a statement, the department described the move as an attempt to legitimize the paralysis and confiscation of UNRWA facilities, eliminate its legal presence in occupied East Jerusalem, and deprive Palestinian refugees of vital resources.
The department warned of the law’s serious repercussions, noting that it targets the operations of 17 essential facilities, including schools, health centers, and administrative offices serving more than 110,000 Palestinian refugees in Jerusalem.
It emphasized that the final approval paves the way for confiscating key UNRWA sites, most notably UNRWA's headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and the Qalandia Training Center.
The department affirmed that the Knesset's final ratification of the law constitutes a "flagrant violation" of the United Nations and its Charter, a direct assault on international norms and agreements, and a blatant challenge to General Assembly resolutions concerning the immunities and protection of international organizations, including Resolution 302 establishing UNRWA.
It also described the law as a clear breach of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, Security Council Resolution 2730 of May 24, 2024, which obligates all states to respect and protect UN institutions and humanitarian personnel, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued last October on the same matter.
According to the statement, cutting off water and electricity to UNRWA headquarters and its educational, health, and relief facilities in occupied Jerusalem constitutes a crime of collective punishment aimed at undermining UNRWA's mandate in the occupied Palestinian territories, granted to it in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions, and ending its historical role as a political witness to the right of return, as a prelude to liquidating the Palestinian refugee issue.
The department called on the United Nations to protect UNRWA's mandate in its five areas of operation, particularly in occupied East Jerusalem, and to take immediate "deterrent measures" to compel the occupying power to comply with international law, cease implementing its laws, respect UNRWA's facilities, mandate, and immunities.
It also urged adherence to relevant UN decisions and compliance with the ICJ advisory opinion of October 22, 2025, adopted by the UN General Assembly, which affirmed Israel’s legal obligations as an occupying power, especially regarding UNRWA’s ability to carry out its humanitarian mission without obstruction and the protection of the privileges and immunities of UN agencies and their staff.
Y.S
