The 27 condemns Israel’s attempts to harm UNRWA with the law banning its operations

BRUSSELS Oct. 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The member states of the European Union have denounced this Thursday the Israeli law that prohibits the activity of the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in their territory, ensuring that if it is applied it will “de facto prevent” operations. of the agency in Gaza.

“The European Union takes note of the recently adopted Israeli legislation on UNRWA and condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise impede its ability to fulfill its mandate,” it said. noted a statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the 27.

The Member States warn that if the measure is applied “it will have far-reaching consequences”, since it will block the agency’s operations in the West Bank and “de facto prevent” “vital” operations in the Gaza Strip.

“It is essential that UNRWA can continue to carry out its crucial work in line with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and renewed since then,” the EU countries have stressed.

The bloc highlights the “essential” role of the UN agency in providing services and supplies to millions of displaced Palestinians throughout the Middle East region and expresses its support at these critical times, stressing that until there is a sustainable solution to the UNRWA’s mandate “remains vital”.