Jerusalem: Israel's decision to enforce two Knesset laws targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Palestinian territories has taken effect, resulting in the cessation of services for tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees, including education and health care.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that UNRWA must halt all activities in occupied Jerusalem and vacate its premises by Thursday. The first law enacted by the Knesset prohibits UNRWA's operations within 'areas under Israeli sovereignty,' including maintaining representative offices and delivering services. The second law restricts any form of contact with the agency.
For UNRWA, the ban on contact will end coordination necessary for the safe movement of its Palestinian staff, impose hazardous working conditions, and obstruct its international employees from securing entry visas and working within the occupied Palestinian territories. Additionally, the law will complicate UNRWA's interactions with Israeli banks, hinder financial transactions, disrupt salary payments, and affect the settlement of its financial obligations.
