The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has passed a bill to ban the activities of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the UN agency that provides assistance to the war-torn Palestinian population. The bill states that the agency will not be able to operate in the Israeli mainland and the territories controlled by Israel.
Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned this action.
Arab News reported this in a report on Tuesday (October 29).
According to the report, Saudi authorities condemned the decision of the Israeli parliament on Tuesday. Israel’s decision will prevent the UN Relief and Works Agency from operating for Palestinian refugees.
Saudi Arabia described it as a “clear violation of international law.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the comments a day after Israeli lawmakers voted to ban the UN relief agency.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said, “This decision is a direct attack on international legitimacy. It is a direct attack on the UN’s role in providing essential services and in ignoring the Palestinian people, in the face of an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.”
“The Saudi authorities categorically reject the Israeli occupation authorities’ continued attacks on UN agencies and relief agencies, both politically and militarily.”
It added, “This decision will hinder the Israeli authorities’ efforts to erase the Palestinian identity through ethnic cleansing and to establish a comprehensive peace process.”
The UN agency is seen as a lifesaver for Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza. UNRWA has been at the side of Gazans since the beginning of the war with much-needed relief and humanitarian aid.
Israel has accused some UNRWA staff of working as members of Hamas and other armed groups.
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