Turkey has joined international condemnation of Israel‘s decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in the country, which Ankara calls a clear violation of international law, accusing the Israeli government of trying to prevent the return of Palestinian refugees and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a statement issued by the Turkish foreign ministry, Ankara refers to the two laws passed by the Knesset (Israeli parliament) that define the UN humanitarian agency for Palestine as a ‘terrorist organisation’ and prohibit it from operating in Israeli territory (including East Jerusalem), which will effectively prevent it from operating in the West Bank and Gaza territories as well.
‘By targeting UNRWA, Israel aims to destroy the two-state solution and prevent the return of Palestine refugees to their homeland. Since 1949, UNRWA has provided vital assistance to millions of Palestine refugees, and its activities are crucial for regional stability. It is the legal and moral obligation of the international community to take a strong stance against attempts to ban UNRWA, which was established by a UN General Assembly resolution,’ the statement issued by Ankara said, adding that Turkey will continue to provide financial assistance to the agency.
A decision that leads to the ‘collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza’
UNRWA was established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly to help Palestinian refugees expelled from their land; today it assists some 6 million Palestinians in more than 700 centres and dozens of refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The Knesset passed yesterday by a large majority (92 votes in favour and 10 against) a law banning all UNRWA activity on Israeli territory, followed shortly after by another legislation banning any Israeli official or institution from having contact with UNRWA or its employees, designating the agency as a ‘terrorist organisation’.
In practice this will not only prevent UNRWA from operating in the territory of Israel (including occupied East Jerusalem) but also in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank; nor in Gaza, as the Israeli army controls access to the Strip. In addition, Israel will no longer process payments related to the UN agency through Israeli banks. Given that practically 90% of Gaza’s population has been forced to flee their homes and that UNRWA has been key to covering their most basic needs (water, food, hygiene, etc.), organisations such as UNICEF have already announced that this decision will lead to the ‘collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza’.
Several European countries and even the United States – Israel’s main ally – have already expressed their concern over the Israeli parliament’s decision and have called for its repeal, fearing that the ban on UNRWA will lead to a worsening of the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The passage of both laws also coincided with Israel’s shelling of Beit Lahia in the north of the Strip last night, where at least 93 people – mostly women and children – were reportedly killed after a residential building was destroyed, and where it has been almost impossible to treat the wounded due to the lack of functioning hospitals.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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