UK urges Israel to “work with” UN

Israel has formally banned the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from operating within its territory, prompting western nations to call on the country to “work with” the UN, France 24 via Reuters reported on January 31st.
The new law, which was first launched in October, bans the UNRWA from operating on Israeli land and prohibits the agency from having any form of contact with Israeli authorities.
In a joint statement, signed by France, Germany and the UK, the countries urged Israel’s parliament to “work with” the UN to continue aid operations in the Palestinian territories.
“We urge the government of Israel to work with international partners, including the UN, to ensure continuity of operations,” the three countries said.
The statement was published by the British government after humanitarian officials warned that the ban could have a devastating impact on Palestinians who have already had their lives destabilised as well as the delivery of aid. Officials also warned that Israel’s humanitarian ban could put regional stability at risk.
The legislation banning UNRWA comes after the Israeli authorities accused 19 UNRWA staff members of being involved in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7th 2023. Nine staff members were sacked after the UN Office of Oversight Services (OIOS) found evidence that indicated the staff members “may have been involved in the 7 October attacks.”
The United Nations General Assembly founded UNRWA in 1949. The UNRWA provides people with services for education, healthcare, development assistance and emergency aid. However, since the legislation was put into effect on Thursday, all UNRWA deliveries to Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank have been halted, and staff members are facing difficulties at checkpoints.
While describing the catastrophic impact the new law will have on Palestinians, UNRWA’s Communications Director, Juliette Touma said: “In a situation that is already beyond, beyond dire – having been to Gaza during the war myself and seen it first hand – without UNRWA, it is safe to say people will die; more people will die.”
“If UNRWA is not allowed to continue to bring and distribute supplies, then the fate of this very fragile ceasefire is going to be at risk and is going to be in jeopardy,” Touma added. “The focus for us at the moment is to work with UN member states for them to work with the state of Israel to undo this legislation.”
Currently, according to UNRWA’s Communications Director Juliette Touma, staff workers are doing their best to ensure that humanitarian operations continue despite Israel’s ban.
France 24 via Reuters, United Nations, UNRWA