The European Union (EU) has expressed deep concern about a draft bill that threatens the operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), currently being discussed in the Israeli parliament. If passed, the bill could have a disastrous impact on Palestinian refugees living in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the EU underlined its support for the UN Secretary-General’s call to resolve the situation, stressing that the draft bill would impede the continuation of UNRWA’s vital services. “The final adoption of this bill will scrap the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA and suspend all operations in East Jerusalem,” a senior EU official said. “This will destroy UNRWA’s life-saving work in Gaza and severely disrupt the provision of health, education and social services in the West Bank.”
The EU called on Israeli authorities to allow UNRWA to carry out its important work in accordance with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly. “UNRWA provides essential services to millions of people across the region, including in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, and is a pillar of regional stability,” he added. “This plays a fundamental role in ensuring conditions on the ground for a credible path towards a two-state solution.”
The potential legislation would not only halt UNRWA’s operations, but also significantly weaken UNRWA’s effectiveness by stripping it of its diplomatic privileges and immunities. The EU reiterated its commitment to support UNRWA and closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report. “We are committed to ensuring neutrality and accountability and strengthening control and supervision of the organization’s operations,” the EU representative asserted.
As the situation unfolds, the EU firmly supports the UN and the multilateral rules-based global governance system and recognizes the important role of UNRWA in providing humanitarian assistance and fostering stability in volatile regions. The implications of the draft bill extend beyond immediate humanitarian concerns to potentially jeopardizing the fragile peace process and the future of countless refugees who rely on UNRWA’s services.
