Jordan condemns Israeli Knesset efforts to ban UNRWA activities

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Sunday condemned the Israeli Knesset's efforts to ban the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Knesset's efforts to put restrictions on UNRWA would prevent the UN agency's employees from obtaining diplomatic visas and strip them of immunity granted to UN organisations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, including occupied East Jerusalem. Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah said the Knnest's attempts, which come after it had classified the agency as a terrorist organisation, constitute "systematic targeting of UNRWA and its vital role in providing humanitarian services to Palestinian refugees and reflect the Israeli policy aimed at politically assassinating the agency and obstructing its work." Qudah added that the Knesset's attempts are "illegal, invalid and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and Israel's obligations as an occupying power," noting that the systematic Israeli targeting of the agency and its symbolism that affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return and compensation under international law "are doomed to failure." He urged the international community to take action and protect the Palestinian people, UN organisations and relief agencies seeking to mitigate the effects of the ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Qudah discussed the mandate granted to UNRWA under the UN, urging the international community to support the agency and assume its "indispensable" responsibilities in providing vital services to Palestinian refugees. Source: Jordan News Agency