Overview
- Israel’s parliament approved amendments that revoke UNRWA’s diplomatic immunity, bar Israeli companies from supplying the agency with water and electricity, and allow expropriation of UNRWA properties in East Jerusalem.
- Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, said the measures must be repealed and reaffirmed that UN privileges apply to UNRWA and that property used by the agency is inviolable.
- UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the legislation “outrageous,” warning it is part of a campaign that undermines the agency’s ability to deliver education, healthcare and aid to millions of registered refugees.
- The League of Arab States condemned the law as immediately enforceable and warned of catastrophic repercussions for essential services, citing violations of UN privileges and international guidance.
- A coalition of countries including Canada, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK warned that service access will be severely affected, noting one in three healthcare facilities in Gaza would close if international NGO operations halted.