Overview
- Israel’s Knesset passed legislation revoking UNRWA’s diplomatic immunity and barring Israeli companies from supplying water and electricity to the agency’s facilities.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres, via his spokesperson, condemned the measure and affirmed that UN privileges and immunities still apply, stating UNRWA property is inviolable.
- UNRWA says the law authorizes Israeli authorities to expropriate its properties in East Jerusalem, including the agency’s headquarters and main vocational training centre.
- UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the law “outrageous,” and former UNRWA head Filippo Grandi warned that millions risk losing education and healthcare if the agency’s operations are further constrained.
- The League of Arab States condemned the law, which took effect immediately, and a coalition of countries separately warned that related NGO suspensions in Gaza would severely curtail essential services, including healthcare.