“It’s direct attack on entire United Nations system,” ex official speaks on Israeli ban on Palestine Refugees agency
Israel’s ban on the UN agency for Palestine Refugees has been described as a direct attack on the entire United Nations system.
Lex Takkenberg, UNRWA’s former General Counsel, expressed his concerns to Al Jazeera, emphasizing the need for a strong response from the international community.
He views the move as part of a broader pattern of aggression by Israel against the UN. He cites previous attacks on the UN Secretary-General and calls for the closure of the UN General Assembly as examples.
The latest development has sparked concerns about the implications for Palestinian refugees, who rely heavily on UNRWA’s assistance.
“We should also consider that these legislative attacks come on top of numerous other attacks on the UN as a whole,” Takkenberg said, noting that Israel had attacked the UN secretary-general and had also urged the closure of the UN General Assembly.
“It’s really reaching a point that the principal organs of the United Nations – the Security Council and the General Assembly – have really no choice but to take strong action,” Takkenberg said.
“Under international humanitarian law, if Israel prevents UNRWA from operating its schools, its health centres and its other critical services – Israel is under a legal obligation to provide those services itself,” he said.
“This was one of the key reasons why, in 1967, Israel requested UNRWA to continue its operations in Gaza and West Bank, because Israel knew that otherwise, it would have to make provisions for this,” Takkenberg added.
“So I think Israel has moved itself into a very difficult political and legal corner and it will be very critical to see how the leadership in the UN, including the General Assembly and the Security Council, will deal with this.”
