United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protesting Israel’s ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), while that Norway has asked the International Court of Justice to clarify Israel’s duties towards the Palestinians. in terms of aid.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said: “The law, as we understand it, gives 90 days before its entry into force. We are in contact with the Israeli authorities. The Secretary General sent a letter a few hours ago. The Israeli Prime Minister underlined his concern and the problems raised by the law under international law, expressing his hope that the law approved yesterday, Monday, by the Israeli Knesset, would not be applied.
Despite international concern, Israeli representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of banning the agency’s activities in Israel and East Jerusalem.
For more than seven decades, UNRWA has provided lifesaving assistance to Palestinian refugees. Israel has accused a dozen UNRWA employees of being involved in the Al-Aqsa flood attack, an accusation for which it has not provided evidence, and the agency has repeatedly denied it. times.
Request from International Justice
On the other hand, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Sture declared – in a statement – that his country “requests the International Court of Justice to clarify Israel’s duties regarding the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the people Palestinian, provided by international organizations. including the United Nations and States.
He said Norway would submit a draft resolution to the United Nations General Assembly asking the Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion in this regard.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said – in the same statement – that “Israeli government policy is making it more difficult for Palestinians to access vital aid and basic services such as health care and education “.
He added that banning UNRWA would “result in serious consequences for millions of civilians living in the most dangerous conditions,” noting that the move “would also undermine stability across the Middle East.” .
He stressed that “Israel’s behavior contradicts international law and undermines efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state and the two-state solution.”
Norway angered Israel in May when it recognized – along with Ireland and Spain – the State of Palestine and also increased its aid to UNRWA last June.