UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau Condemns Knesset’s Ban on UNRWA as Unlawful

Damaged UNRWA headquarters at the Nur Shams refugee camp after it was destroyed during an Israeli army raid Nov, 1, 2024 Photo: EFE

November 1, 2024 Hour: 5:40 pm

Therefore, the Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA is deemed as unlawful as the occupation itself, which must conclude promptly, as determined by both the Court and General Assembly resolution ES-10/24.

The Bureau of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee has strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset’s recent passage of two bills aimed at banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and stripping it of its privileges and immunities as a UN entity. This decision significantly hampers the Agency’s ability to fulfill its critical humanitarian mission.

In a press statement, the Bureau declared “This unprecedented illegal action by Israel, the Occupying Power, contravenes the United Nations Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, and countless relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and directly violates Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power under international humanitarian law,”

Therefore, the Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA is deemed as unlawful as the occupation itself, which must conclude promptly, as determined by both the Court and General Assembly resolution ES-10/24.

Israel must immediately end its campaign of unlawful targeted killings in the West Bank. Last night, Israeli security forces targeted and deliberately shot multiple times a 29-year-old Palestinian man, killing him. The man was reportedly unarmed in his grocery shop in Tulkarem…
— UN Human Rights Palestine (@OHCHR_Palestine) October 31, 2024

The Committee Bureau urged the General Assembly, the Security Council, and Member States to categorically reject Israel’s decision and demand its immediate reversal. They called for Israel to respect UNRWA’s mandate, cease all attacks on the Agency, and allow for its humanitarian operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Additionally, the Bureau cautioned against Israel’s use of such illegal measures, like the UNRWA ban legislation, to divert global attention from pressing issues.

They stressed the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza.