Israel this week passed a law banning the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA from operating in the country, legislation that could impact its work in war-torn Gaza.
The lawmakers who drafted the law cited what they described as the involvement of some UNRWA staffers in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and staffers having membership in Hamas and other armed groups
However, Indonesia, Switzerland and United States have condemned the Israeli decision to ban United Nations agency UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
Gulf states Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Gaza war mediator Qatar also condemned the Israeli parliament’s decision.
Indonesia said it has resulted in the disruption of relief operations in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
In a statement on X, the country’s Foreign Ministry said Israeli parliament’s move clearly violates and contradicts the UN Charter and the 1946 Convention on the immunities of UN agencies.
“UNRWA is an agency mandated by the United Nations to serve an irreplaceable role in providing education, healthcare, and aid to millions of Palestinian refugees. Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting UNRWA in discharging its mandate,” said the statement.
Indonesia urged the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to immediately halt Israel’s actions and ensure its compliance with obligations under international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and the ICJ rulings to end the occupation in Palestine.
The statement came after the Israeli Parliament passed a bill Monday that would ban the main UN agency aiding Palestinians. The vote saw 92 out of 120 Knesset members in favour, with 10 opposed.
A separate bill, which was approved by lawmakers in an 87-9 vote, mandates that Israel cut all ties with UNRWA, barring any cooperation or privileges the agency previously held.
Meanwhile, Switzerland voiced concern over the ban.
“Israel has passed two laws banning cooperation with UNRWA, seeking to limit its presence in Israel and the (occupied Palestinian territory) OPT,” the Foreign Ministry said on X.
“Switzerland is concerned about the humanitarian, political and legal implications of these decisions,” it added.
In defiance of international calls, Israeli lawmakers, in a 92-10 vote late on Monday, passed a bill to UNRWA from working in Israel and occupied territories.
The US said it is “deeply troubled” by the adoption of legislation in Israel that would ban the operation of a UN agency for Palestinian refugees, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller has said.
Miller said that the legislation, passed on Monday but yet to be implemented, “poses risks for millions of Palestinians” who rely on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for essential services such as healthcare and education, Xinhua news agency reported.
