Israel has formally banned the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees from operating on its territory despite heavy diplomatic backlash. Humanitarian officials have warned that the move, which went into on midnight Thursday, could have a disastrous impact on aid delivery and jeopardize regional stability in the long term.
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“There are multiple alternative organizations to UNRWA — including U.N. agencies, international NGOs, and foreign countries — that are already operating to facilitate humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip,” said Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for Israel’s foreign ministry. “Their role will only increase.
“I don’t feel relieved yet because we don’t know what will happen,” she said. “The main product of this whole decision is confusion and fear.” Israel has long refused to allow their return. Its political establishment claims the U.N. agency prevents their integration into their host countries and helps perpetuate the idea that they might one day return. Palestinians say they have the right to return under international law, while Israel argues they do not and says a mass return would undermine the Jewish nature of the state.
Arieh King, a deputy mayor of Jerusalem, popped a champagne cork, took a swig from the bottle and passed it around, pronouncing it a “happy and special and historic day.”
Israel-Hamas War Israel Government Jerusalem United Nations Foreign Aid Gaza Strip Political Refugees International Agreements General News Middle East Benjamin Netanyahu Palestinian Territories Government War And Unrest Oren Marmorstein Ismail Al-Turk World News Amal Julani Legislation Jonathan Fowler
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