Statement by the President of the General Assembly, H.E Philemon Yang on Israeli legislation on UNRWA

I am deeply alarmed by the Israeli Parliament’s adoption of two laws which, if implemented, will prevent the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from undertaking its essential work in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

UNRWA, an agency directly established and mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 302 (IV) of 18 December 1949, plays a critical role in providing protection, shelter, food, water, and medical care to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. 

A collapse of UNRWA operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a result of these two laws would exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. This is unacceptable.

The United Nations Secretary-General has also brought this matter to the attention of the General Assembly, which underscores the gravity of the situation.

I urgently call on the Government of Israel to abide by UN resolutions and to allow UNRWA to continue its indispensable work.

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