It’s “nothing less than collective punishment”: UN body reacts as Israel bans Palestine Refugees agency

The United Nations has denounced the move by Israeli politicians after they passed a controversial law to ban the UN agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within the country.

The ban is largely driven by allegations that some UNRWA staff members in Gaza have ties to Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organization by Israel.

Reacting to the ban, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner general of UNRWA said the vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against @UNRWA evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.

He stressed that the legislation is part of several campaigns to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to #Palestine Refugees.

“These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in #Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell.

“It ⁠will deprive over 650,000 girls & boys there from education, putting at risk an entire generation of children.

“These bills increase the suffering of the Palestinians & are nothing less than collective punishment.

“Putting an end to UNRWA & its services will not strip the Palestinians from their refugee status. That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a fair and lasting solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians.

“Failing to push back these bills will weaken our common multilateral mechanism established after World War 2.

“This should be a concern to all,” he concluded