Ireland has joined six other European states in condemning Israeli legislation that they say is “targeting” a United Nations aid agency.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the legislation contains provisions to “cut water, electricity and communications” to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), reports Breaking News.
It said the move undermines the UN’s mandate, breaches international law and runs counter to rulings of the International Court of Justice, “while risking grave humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian civilian population and refugees”.
The joint statement was also issued by Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, reports Breaking News.
The countries urged Israel to ensure established international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are “permitted to operate in Gaza and that any deregistrations be halted”.
They said NGOs “constitute a significant part of all humanitarian and especially health services in Gaza and the West Bank” and are essential “to confront the catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and elsewhere, reports Breaking News.
The statement concludes: “Respect for the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and for international humanitarian law is imperative,” reports Breaking News.
The legislation, which was passed by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on 29 December, was swiftly criticised by UN secretary-general António Guterres, who said it was “inconsistent with the status and international legal framework applicable to UNRWA” and called for it to be “immediately repealed”.
Israel has said the measures are intended to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating humanitarian aid organisations, reports Breaking News.
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