European Trio Urges Israel Not to Ban UNRWA Activities
Berlin, Paris, and London issued a joint statement on Friday, expressing deep concern over Israel’s
decision to impose a ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
(UNRWA).
In this statement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, her French counterpart Jean-Noël
Barrot, and British Prime Minister David Lammy called on Israel to reconsider its decision to
implement the ban. They emphasized that currently, “no other entity or UN agency has the capacity,
infrastructure, or experience to perform the functions that UNRWA does.”
The diplomats highlighted that UNRWA is the primary refuge for displaced Palestinians in the West
Bank, including East Jerusalem, and plays a crucial role in managing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel ordered UNRWA to cease its operations starting from Thursday. This move comes as Israel has
taken steps to prevent UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil and banned Israeli officials from
cooperating with the agency, following allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the attacks
on October 7, 2023.
This situation underscores the tension between humanitarian operations and political accusations, with
significant implications for the welfare of Palestinian refugees across the region. The European leaders’
plea reflects broader international concern about the humanitarian impact of such a ban on one of the
most vulnerable populations.
UNRWA ‘continues to deliver’ as Israeli ban comes into effect