EU ‘gravely concerned’ over Israeli bill seeking to ban UNRWA

The draft Israeli legislation, which would reportedly restrict the United Nations agency’s operations in Israel and likely reduce aid distribution in Gaza-ravaged areas, is deeply concerning to the European Union.

A bill that would end all contact between the government and the UN agency was approved earlier this week by an Israeli parliamentary committee. The bill needs final approval from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

In a statement released on Saturday, the European Union stated that the draft UNRWA bill is currently being discussed in the Israeli parliament.

The EU emphasised its strong support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s position regarding the draft bill that, if passed, could have “disastrous consequences” for the UN agency’s ability to assist and protect Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

The EU urged Israel’s authorities to allow UNRWA to continue carrying out its crucial work in accordance with the UN General Assembly’s mandate, the EU said.

“UNRWA provides essential services to millions of people in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and across the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan and is a pillar of regional stability. It also contributes a significant amount to ensuring the conditions for a viable two-state solution on the ground.

The EU is gravely concerned by the draft Israeli bill on @UNRWA, which would have disastrous consequences.

The EU strongly supports UNRWA’s request and urges Israel to allow UNSG @AntonioGuterres to continue carrying out its crucial work. https: //t. co/znxC9olLxW

Israel has long campaigned against UNRWA, the principal organization providing services to Palestinian refugees in other nations since 1949 while claiming connections to “terrorists” and calling for its closure.

Earlier this year, Israel alleged that some of the agency’s staff participated in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel, leading more than a dozen&nbsp, international donors to suspend support.