UNRWA to continue working despite Israeli ban

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The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said it will continue to work within the occupied Palestinian territories despite Israel enforcing a ban on its work, The National reported on January 30th.

UNWRA is the biggest distributor of aid across the Palestinian territories and the second biggest employer in occupied Palestine after the Palestinian Authority, with 17,000 employees.

Tamara Al Rifai, director of external relations and communications at UNRWA, has said its staff would still be working “within an exceptionally hostile environment.”

“It’s going to be very difficult for us as a UN agency to protect our staff,” She adds.

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The Israeli parliament passed legislation in October which essentially stops UNRWA from carrying out its work and prohibits Israeli officials from communicating with the agency.

“There will be a lack of protection guarantees for our staff – so that if anything happens to them, UNRWA will no longer have access to Israeli officials,” Al Rifai said.

The no-communication order between Israeli authorities and UNRWA also hinders the transfer of aid because bringing lorries through borders necessitates communication with the Israeli authorities who control the deliveries, Al Rifai said.

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Visas for international employees working for UNRWA reportedly expired on January 29th.

“This is an eviction of international civil servants and UN personnel and an act by the Israeli government that contravenes Israel’s obligations under international law,” Al Rifai said.

“We can easily slip into a trend where any government that doesn’t agree with the role, mandate or values that are being promoted by a UN agency, can dismantle or remove it,” Al Rifai added.

Israel has not presented an alternative plan to ensure Palestinians receive the essential services they need once the ban is in place, the UN official said.

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Israel has the responsibility as an occupying force to give the basic services that UNRWA has been providing since its formation in 1949, in response to the Nakba.

It remains unclear how the Israeli law will be enforced across the Palestinian territories, Al Rifai added.

The National

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