UN, nations condemn Israel’s ban of Palestine refugee agency
(VOVWORLD) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Arab League and Arab countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, protest the Israeli parliament's decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and East Jerusalem.
 UNRWA's aid sent to Khan Younis, Gaza (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
The UN Secretary-General sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protest the ban, saying that it could have devastating consequences for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, because there is no substitute for UNRWA in providing aid and assistance.
He called on Israel to prevent such dire consequences and allow UNRWA to continue operating in the besieged Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with its obligations under international law.