Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA efforts

Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned attempts by Israeli authorities to undermine efforts of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees by labelling it a terrorist organization.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Israeli criticism of UNRWA seeks to strip “immunity from employees who are doing their duty to alleviate the severity of the humanitarian catastrophe that the Palestinian people are going through.”

The ministry said that Israel must abide by international law and stop obstructing the work of international organizations.

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the Israeli Knesset’s attempt to label the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as a terrorist organization, strip its immunity, and criminalize its activities.

Ministry spokesman Sufyan Al-Qudah called this move illegitimate, illegal, and a violation of international law.

Al-Qudah urged the international community to act promptly to protect the Palestinian people and support UNRWA’s vital role in providing services to Palestinian refugees. He emphasized the importance of the refugee agency’s mandate granted by the international body and called for continued global support.

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, echoded the condemnation, stating that the Israeli occupation must ease the work of UNRWA according to international and humanitarian resolutions. He affirmed the need for international support for UNRWA and an end to Israel’s illegal practices.

The Muslim World League (MWL) also strongly rejected Israel’s designation of UNRWA as a terrorist organization, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the agency’s humanitarian efforts.

The MWL emphasized that Israel, as an occupying force, must adhere to international laws and norms, including its obligations under international humanitarian law concerning the work of international organizations.

On Friday, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called on Israel to stop its campaign against the organization, saying: “Israeli officials are not only threatening the work of our staff and mission, they are also delegitimising UNRWA by effectively characterising it as a terrorist organization that fosters extremism and labelling UN leaders as terrorists who collude with Hamas.”
UNRWA, which coordinates nearly all aid to Gaza, has been in crisis since January, when Israel accused about a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack.