OIC warns of repercussions of Israel’s UNRWA ban

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned yesterday of the repercussions of Israel’s ban on the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories. The ban, said the OCI, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter.

“The ban hinders UNRWA’s activities in the entire occupied Palestinian territory, in flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter and its relevant resolutions,” said the Jeddah- based organisation. “The ban comes within the framework of the Israeli occupation [state’s] attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause and eliminate the Palestinian refugees’ right of return.”

The OIC stressed the importance of UNRWA’s humanitarian and relief role, saying that it represents a witness to the collective international commitment to the rights of Palestinian refugees and an element of stability in the region. The organisation also stressed “that there is no alternative to UNRWA” and pointed out the invalidity of the Israeli laws and procedures.

“The Israeli occupation’s targeting of the agency’s facilities, employees and thousands of displaced persons in its schools will not change the legal status of the Palestinian refugees’ rights,” said the OIC. UNRWA, added the organisation, has an international mandate in accordance with UN General Assembly resolutions.

Israel bans UNRWA’s operations – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

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