Jordan, Egypt, Arab League condemn Israeli moves against UNRWA

AMMAN/CAIRO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Sunday reaffirmed Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of two Israeli draft bills that could prevent operations of the UN Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Israeli parliament approved two bills last Sunday aimed at ending UNRWA’s activity and privileges in Israel.
Safadi called the bills a blatant violation of international law and a deprivation of the Palestinian people’s essential rights and services recognized by the international community, according to a statement by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry.
During his meeting on Sunday with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Safadi stressed the need for the international community to reject such bills to show support for UNRWA and its mandate since its inception.
The foreign minister stressed that UNRWA’s role is irreplaceable, warning that Israel’s targeting of the UN agency is part of its broader attempt to eliminate the refugee issue. He said it must be resolved in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy as part of a comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ends Israel’s occupation and ensures the return of refugees.
Safadi and Lazzarini discussed the necessary actions to counter this Israeli threat to the UN agency in cooperation with regional and international partners, while underscoring the importance of providing political and financial support for the agency to continue its lifesaving operations.
Also on Sunday, the Arab League (AL) and Egypt condemned Israel’s plans to seize the East Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA and convert the site into a settlement.
According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Israel’s Land Authority is reportedly in the preparatory stages of a plan to confiscate the UN site and build 1,440 settlement units.
In a statement, AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said Israel is implementing a plan to “eliminate the role of UNRWA and liquidate it,” expressing full Arab solidarity with the UN agency.
Aboul-Gheit called on the international community to defend UNRWA against Israel’s “fiercest” liquidation campaigns.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned of Israel’s repeated and persistent attempts to block the agency.
Egypt said these attempts represent flagrant violations of international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, according to a statement by the ministry.
Egypt called on the UN Security Council to assume responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, urging countermeasures from the international community and other UN member states.
Since its establishment in 1949, UNRWA has been providing assistance to Palestinian refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank. ■