US calls on Israel not to implement law restricting UNRWA activities

The US Department of State's call was made in relation to the Israeli Parliament's decision today to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating within Israeli territory.

US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a press briefing held shortly before the Israeli Parliament's decision that UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in Gaza and serves as an indispensable entity on the front lines of delivering humanitarian aid to those in need. "There is no one else right now who can take their place in the middle of the crisis," Miller said.

Miller said, "If UNRWA goes away, you will see that civilians, including children and babies, will not be able to access the food, water, and medicine they need to survive. We find this situation unacceptable."

The US Department of State Spokesperson stated, "We continue to call on the Israeli government to pause the implementation of this legislation. We urge them not to pass the law, and we will evaluate the next steps based on what happens in the coming days."

Miller also drew attention to the letter sent by the administration of US President Joe Biden to the Israeli government earlier this month, stating that the adoption of the legislation in question could have "consequences under American law" and could affect US security assistance to Israel.

The spokesperson warned that because US law prohibits the transfer of offensive weapons to countries that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid, this situation could lead to restrictions on US aid to Israel.

When a reporter reminded him that the Biden administration had suspended US funding to UNRWA, Miller stated that the UN agency had implemented significant reforms and that the Biden administration's view on UNRWA had changed.

With thousands of employees, UNRWA provides education, health, and aid services to millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini had previously stated that Israel aimed to declare the UN agency UNRWA a terrorist organization, with the goal of ensuring that Palestinians are stripped of their refugee status.

News Source: İHA