Israel UNRWA chief asks UN General Assembly for support

Following the Israeli parliament's decision to ban the Palestinian relief organization UNRWA from working in Israel, its head Philippe Lazzarini has asked the United Nations General Assembly for help. "Over the past year, UNRWA has been a lifeline for the people of Gaza," Lazzarini told the body in New York. "It is the only pillar left standing in their lives."

The UNRWA chief asked UN member states to work against implementing the Israeli law, to maintain financial support for the agency and to include and codify its role in any plan for the future of the region.

The work ban, which is due to come into force after a three-month period, had caused a great deal of international criticism. Israel accuses the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency that some of its employees were involved in terrorist activities on October 7, 2023. Allegations of "violations of neutrality" within UNRWA are taken very seriously, said Lazzarini. However, despite repeated requests, Israel had not provided any evidence for its allegations.

SDA