Arab League condemns Israel's decision to deesignate UNRWA as 'terrorist' organisation

AMMAN — The Arab League on Wednesday condemned the Israeli Knesset's decision to designate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as a "terrorist organisation."

The Israeli Knesset passed three bills Monday to classify the UNRWA as a terrorist organisation. The first bill banned the agency from operating in the Palestinian occupied territories, while the second aims to strip the UNRWA personnel of legal immunities and privileges ordinarily afforded to United Nations staff .

The Secretary-General of the pan-Arab organisation, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said the decision reflects "political bankruptcy" and represents an "insult to humanitarian and human rights work at the international level."

The UNRWA, founded in 1949 for the relief and protection of Palestinian refugees was established after the creation of Israel in 1948. Currently there are approximately 5.9 million refugees registered and eligible for UNRWA services. 

Maintaining schools, health centres and distribution centres around recognised Palestinian refugee camps is the primary role of the UNRWA. The camps are not administered or policed by the agency, with the responsibility falling on the host authorities. The UNRWA operates in regions including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.