Presidency and refugee-hosting countries consider UNRWA a political issue related to right of return

The Presidency Tuesday decided to act urgently together with the Palestinian-refugee hosting countries to explore the possibility of approaching the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly regarding the issue of UNRWA, affirming that UN agency’s is political that is related to the right of return.

The Presidency said that UNRWA was established by the General Assembly in its Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, and that the Agency shall continue to operate and provide its services to Palestine refugees until such time as a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question is reached.

It once again voiced appreciation to a number of countries for expressing their rejection and concern over the repercussions of the Israeli Knesset’s grave and rejected decision and orientation, which defy international will and international law, and for their call on the Israeli government to comply with its international obligations, preserve UNRWA’s privileges and immunities without prejudice, and fulfil
its responsibilities.

It called on these countries to take serious decisions to stop the Israeli tampering that will lead to more tension and instability.

It held the Israeli government fully responsible for the serious repercussions of this decision.

It stressed that all the grave and unacceptable Israeli aggressive practices will neither bring security nor stability, but would plunge the region into further turmoil unless a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue is reached based on the UN resolutions and international law.

Israel’s Knesset officially passed a law, in its second and third readings, that bans the activities of the UNRWA within Israel, despite warnings by the United Nations and international organizations about the risks of this legislation, which violates international and UN charters and laws.

The new law, proposed by Knesset member Boaz Bismuth, marks a first-of-its-kind restriction on UNRWA operations in Israel.

The legislation prohibits UNRWA from operating representati
ve offices, offering services, or engaging in any form of activity within Israeli territories, either directly or indirectly, aiming to completely bar the agency’s presence.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA