Arab League, Egypt condemn Israeli law banning UNRWA operations

CAIRO, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli parliament's legislation banning the operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Israel.

He termed the Israeli decision as a "verdict to confiscate the future of millions of Palestinians."

He pointed out that Israel has no authority to ban the operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which was established by a UN resolution in 1949, not by Israel.

He added that the UN General Assembly is responsible for keeping up with the work of the UNRWA, which offers basic health and educational services to Palestinian refugees in its areas of operation.

Aboul-Gheit called on the UN Security Council member states to defy "this dangerous decision," warning against the complete collapse of the humanitarian work in Gaza in the absence of UNRWA.

Also on Tuesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli decision in a statement, saying that it is part of a long series of Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

It stressed Egypt's rejection of all Israeli practices seeking to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

Egypt confirmed the indispensable role of the UNRWA, urging the UN Security Council to play its role in maintaining international peace and security.

On Monday, the Israeli parliament passed a law prohibiting the UNRWA from operating in Israel. ■