Israeli occupation’s decision to ban UNRWA comes into force today

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, Jan. 30 (YPA) – The two laws passed by the Israeli Knesset targeting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Palestinian territories will come into force today.

This means depriving tens of thousands of refugees of services, including education and healthcare.

The Israeli occupation’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres that the agency must cease all its activities in occupied Jerusalem and vacate its buildings by Thursday.

The first law bans UNRWA’s activities within “areas under Israeli sovereignty,” including the operation of representative offices and the provision of services. The second law prohibits any contact with the agency.

For UNRWA, cutting off communication will effectively end the coordination necessary to ensure the safe movement of its Palestinian staff and will subject them to hazardous working conditions. It will also prevent its international staff from obtaining entry and work visas in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Additionally, the law will create obstacles for UNRWA’s dealings with Israeli banks, its ability to receive financial transfers, pay salaries, and settle its financial obligations.

@E.Y.M