The United States said on Monday it is “deeply concerned” about a bill now passed by Israel’s parliament that would allow the UN Palestinian refugee agency to operate in the country and annex occupied East Jerusalem. Prohibits from.
Israeli lawmakers passed the measure by a vote of 92-10, after years of harsh Israeli criticism of UNRWA, which intensified after Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, triggered the war in Gaza.
“We have made clear to the government of Israel that we are very concerned about this,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, reiterating the “vital” role the agency plays in distributing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Miller said, “We continue to urge the Israeli government to stop the implementation of this law. We urge them not to pass it at all and we will consider next steps depending on what happens in the coming days “
The spokesperson said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had raised the issue during his recent visit to the region.
Israel has accused some UNRWA staff of participating in Hamas attacks.
Following those allegations, the United States suspended its contributions to the UN agency and called for an investigation.
Congress has since approved legislation that bans the resumption of US financial support to the agency.
But the US government still believes that UNRWA plays an important role not only in aid distribution in Gaza, but also “in providing services to Palestinians in the West Bank and throughout the region.”
“They really play an irreplaceable role right now in Gaza, where they are on the front lines of providing humanitarian assistance to people in need,” Miller told reporters.
“Right now in the middle of the crisis there is no one who can replace him.”
US opposition to the Israeli bill comes as Washington has called on Israel to do more to deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza, especially the northern part of the besieged Palestinian territory.
Washington has warned that if Israel does not take more steps on the aid front in Gaza, it may take steps to suspend some military aid to it.
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