UNRWA: New Knesset amendments threaten to further undermine our operations, especially in occupied Jerusalem

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, July 19 (YPA) – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said, on Friday, that proposed amendments under discussion in the Israeli Knesset concerning laws related to the Agency threaten to further undermine its operations in the West Bank, following the forced closure of six of its schools in occupied East Jerusalem two months ago.

It explained that critical services to more than 200,000 Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem are now at stake.

UNRWA indicated that last week, a proposed amendment to Israeli Knesset laws targeting the Agency was published by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

It contains two key proposals against UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly targeting East Jerusalem:

First, prohibiting service providers from supplying UNRWA installations with water and electricity.

Second, seizing the land on which the West Bank Field Office in Sheikh Jarrah and the Kalandia Training Centre near Qalandiya Camp are located.

UNRWA stated that if implemented, the amendment would allow for the confiscation of these lands without any additional legal proceedings.

The Agency emphasized that all UNRWA installations are United Nations premises and are protected by the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, and that this legislative action against UNRWA and its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is unprecedented and violates Israel’s obligations as a UN member state under the UN Charter.

UNRWA concluded by affirming that it is the duty of the international community at large to uphold UNRWA’s humanitarian space, ensure unhindered service provision, and protect the rights of Palestinian refugees.

@E.Y.M