Ramallah/ PNN / 

The Palestinian Liberation Organization's Department of Refugee Affairs vehemently condemned the Israeli Knesset's initial approval of a draft law that could potentially halt the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.

In a statement issued, the department emphasized that the Israeli draft law aims to undermine UNRWA, linking it with terrorism as a pretext to strip it of its immunities, ultimately leading to its dissolution in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Houli, head of the Refugee Affairs Department at the PLO, remarked that Israel's decision challenges the international community, especially as the International Court of Justice reaffirms the illegitimacy of Israel's military presence and occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

Dr. Abu Houli urged the international community to clearly and decisively condemn Israel's assault on the United Nations system and UNRWA, an organization he highlighted as among the UN's largest and most vital institutions.

Dr. Abu Houli further stated that Israel is challenging the entire international community with its actions, displaying disregard and contempt for all laws, values, and international treaties. He emphasized that UNRWA, like other international institutions, enjoys international immunities under the 1946 UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities.

He underscored that this decision represents the occupying state's response to the international community by attempting to prevent the international presence represented by the UN Relief and Works Agency in the occupied territories. He highlighted baseless accusations, refuted by the inconclusive conclusion of an independent international investigation into UNRWA and its personnel.

He affirmed that such a decision amounts to the highest levels of legal violations and breaches at the international level by the occupying state, which has destroyed nearly 70% of UN facilities in Gaza and killed more than 190 UN staff members and over 520 civilian refugees inside UNRWA premises without any accountability to date.

He called upon UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini to escalate immediate intervention with all UN member states, demanding protection of UN resolutions and ensuring the continuity of UNRWA's operations across its five operational areas. Additionally, the department urged Commissioner-General Lazzarini to activate all available resources and plans to ensure UNRWA's continuity in Palestinian territories under his agency's mandate.