US urges Israel ‘to pause and further consider implementation’ of anti-UNRWA leglisation

The US is “deeply troubled” by the legislation passed Monday by the Knesset targeting UNRWA, saying that it could force the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees to discontinue all of its operations in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a State Department spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.

“Implementing the legislation risks catastrophe for the more than 3 million Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for essential services, including health care, and primary and secondary education,” the spokesperson says.

“The humanitarian response in Gaza relies on UNRWA facilities and expertise to operate. UNRWA remains indispensable to these operations. There is no entity that can replace UNRWA, especially during this crisis,” the statement continues.

“We urge the government of Israel to pause and further consider implementation of this legislation to ensure UNRWA can effectively carry out its mission and facilitate humanitarian assistance.”

“UNRWA has also long been an organization in need of reform. We support steps to strengthen UNRWA impartiality and neutrality, including to respond to allegations of ties to terrorism,” the US State Department spokesperson adds.