I strongly condemn the laws adopted by the Israeli Knesset today. If the Israeli Government were to implement these laws in this form, it would make UNRWA’s work in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem effectively impossible. This would be a disastrous step, endangering vital humanitarian assistance for millions of people and hampering our efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. The action taken by Israel against a UN-mandated organisation that has provided vital assistance since 1950 sends a dangerous message of disregard for the United Nations and for international cooperation.

Humanitarian assistance is reaching the Gaza Strip only in dribs and drabs already now. UNRWA’s operational structures are essential for the work of many other aid organisations in Gaza. Today’s decision would finally take the vital humanitarian system in Gaza to the brink of collapse. Over 100,000 injured people are in need of medical treatment. Some 1.9 million people – 90 percent of the population – are internally displaced persons within the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands are suffering from catastrophic hunger. The polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza is also in jeopardy following this decision.

UNRWA provides essential basic medical care for tens of thousands of people not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In addition, the closure without replacement of 96 schools in the West Bank and East Jerusalem would deprive 47,000 Palestinian young people of their prospects for education. I condemn the intention to confiscate the site of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem in order to build 1440 homes for settlers.

We have condemned in the strongest possible terms the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel that took place on 7 October 2023. UNRWA has taken measures to address allegations of support for terrorist organisations by individual employees and to reform internal procedures. It must continue to implement these reforms as a matter of the greatest priority and further strengthen its neutrality.

As an occupying power, Israel is responsible for the care of Palestinians in the occupied territories. The International Court of Justice issued a binding order in its provisional measures that the Israeli Government must ensure that the population in Gaza is adequately supplied with essential goods and humanitarian assistance. In this context, it is imperative that the Israeli Government ensure that UNRWA is able to continue to fulfil the mandate of the UN General Assembly.