Pakistan condemns Israeli move to ban UN agency for Palestinian refugees

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan Tuesday "unequivocally" condemned Israel’s move to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

"This latest step is yet another Israeli violation of international law and the UN Charter. Preventing UNRWA from carrying out its vital tasks is a manifestation of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny the much needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The ban would affect UNRWA's work in Gaza, and the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Monday vote in the Knesset saw 92 of 120 members voting in favor of the bill, while 10 opposed.

The international community, in particular the UN Security Council, should hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure the unimpeded operations of UNRWA by the UN General Assembly Resolution 302, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement said.

The international community also needs to step in to end Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza, it added.

Islamabad reiterated its call for an "immediate and unconditional" cease-fire in Gaza, and for the provision of unhindered humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.

"Sustainable peace in the region cannot be possible without the Palestinian people exercising their inalienable right to self-determination; and the creation of a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," the statement added.

Israel has accused UNRWA employees of complicity in the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border incursion by Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

UNRWA, headquartered in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, denies the accusations and asserts that it remains neutral, solely focusing on supporting refugees.

The agency was established by the General Assembly in December 1949 to carry out and direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees. It began its operations on May 1, 1950.

Israel has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people since last October.