Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned Israel's decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which provides basic educational and health services to over 5.5 million Palestinian refugees, from operating in Israel and the occupied territories. Aboul Gheit stated today that the decision is a judgement that "will confiscate the future of millions of Palestinians". He also said that it is the latest action in a continuous plan that Israel has been implementing for years to eliminate the agency's role, as well as an attempt to tarnish UNRWA's international reputation and sever its funding sources. He stressed that the decision sets a dangerous precedent internationally, as UNRWA was established by a UN resolution in 1949 and consequently, the UN General Assembly is responsible for its agency. Aboul Gheit specifically urged the Security Council's member states to address this grave decision, emphasizing that the humanitari an efforts in Gaza will be rendered entirely inoperable if UNRWA's activities are prohibited or its role is ignored Source: Saudi Press Agency
Friday, April 24, 2026