ALBAWABA - Following the Knesset's decision to ban UNRWA, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took to X to express the consequences of banning the UN Agency on the already dire situation in Palestine.
Guterres called on Israel to abide by international law and to "act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations" saying that national legislations cannot undermine these obligations.
Guterres assured that he will bring the Knesset's decision to ban UNRWA before the UN General Assembly and "will keep the Assembly closely informed as the situation develops,".
Commissioner General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini stated that the Israeli Parliament's vote is "unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent,".
Lazzarini added that this is the most recent in a series of attempts to undermine UNRWA's credibility and tarnish its reputation for helping Palestinian refugees by providing human development aid.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General added that the ban will prevent more than 650,000 boys and girls from receiving an education, endangering a whole generation of kids. These measures are nothing less than collective punishment and worsen Palestinian suffering.
"Putting an end to UNRWA & its services will not strip the Palestinians from their refugee status. That status is protected by another UN General Assembly resolution until a fair and lasting solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians," Lazzarini wrote on .
