In a move reflecting growing international concern, 11 countries issued a strongly worded joint statement demanding that Israeli authorities ensure immediate and safe humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and condemning in the strongest terms the attacks targeting facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The international coalition included the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and Spain.
The foreign ministers of these countries expressed their strong condemnation of the hostile acts against UNRWA , including the recent attacks by Israeli settlers on the agency's headquarters in East Jerusalem, which led to its temporary closure. The statement described these actions as undermining the work of a vital UN agency and constituting a flagrant violation of international law, which guarantees the inviolability of UN premises.
The general context and the worsening humanitarian crisis
UNRWA was established by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 to provide assistance and protection programs for Palestinian refugees. Today, the agency is a lifeline for millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and relief. This statement comes amidst the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with more than two million people facing the threat of famine and disease and relying almost entirely on humanitarian aid, for which UNRWA is the primary coordinator.
The importance of the statement and its potential impact
This international stance is particularly significant given that it comes from countries, some of which are historical allies of Israel. The statement reflects a shift in diplomatic discourse and increased pressure on the Israeli government to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law .
- On the local level: The statement underscores the indispensable role of UNRWA in Gaza and provides moral support to humanitarian workers who risk their lives daily. It also represents pressure to lift restrictions on the entry of aid through the crossings.
- At the regional and international levels, the statement highlights Israel’s growing isolation on the international stage regarding its policies in the Palestinian territories. It also reinforces calls for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, and warns that continued obstruction of humanitarian work threatens to worsen the situation and destabilize the entire region.
The joint statement stressed the need to enable the agency to carry out its tasks without any obstacles, calling on Israel to ensure the safety of UN staff, protect all civilian facilities, and allow the distribution of aid throughout the Gaza Strip and the West Bank without interference.
