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AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “strongly” condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of draft law targeting the operations and existence of UNRWA, undermining its ability to deliver vital humanitarian services.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry said that the proposed measures include allowing the confiscation of the agency’s property and banning the provision of essential services to its facilities, adding that the move constitutes a “violation of the privileges and immunities of UN organisations and a flagrant breach of international law.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Fouad Majali said that passing of such laws is part of a “systematic campaign against UNRWA and a continuation of Israel’s attempts to politically dismantle the agency.”
He added that these steps are an extension of Israel’s illegal and invalid practices aimed at depriving the Palestinian people of their internationally recognised rights and essential services, as affirmed by relevant UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 194.
Majali stressed that Israel’s actions represent a violation of applicable international laws and conventions and target the symbolic role of UNRWA in affirming the right of Palestinian refugees to return and receive compensation in accordance with international law.
He warned of the grave consequences of Israel’s illegal measures against UNRWA and its institutions, which provide indispensable services that cannot be replaced, urging the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities.
He called for confronting the Israeli decisions and practices targeting UNRWA and for providing the necessary political and financial support to enable the agency to continue delivering its essential services to Palestinian refugees.
