UN chief sends letter to Israel Premier over ban on Palestinian refugee agency

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, raising concerns over Israel’s recent move to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, Anadolu Agency reports.

“We are in contact with Israeli authorities,” UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters during a press briefing, adding that Guterres had sent the letter “a few hours ago […] outlining his concerns”.

The letter, according to Dujarric, addresses issues related to international law raised by the new Israeli measure.

The letter came a day after Israel passed a bill that would ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), from parliament operating in the country. The legislation will take effect in 90 days.

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

“We’re at an early stage. Obviously, if it is implemented, it is clear that it will have a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” Dujarric cautioned.

When asked if Guterres tried to call Netanyahu again, Dujarric said: “At this point the communication is done in writing, because I think it is more precise.”

“But, obviously, if there’s an opportunity to speak, they would speak,” he added.

Guterres, on Monday, said that the implementation of the law “could have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is unacceptable.”

“There is no alternative to UNRWA,” Guterres said in a statement.

READ: UNRWA ban could kill more children in Gaza, UNICEF says