Brussels, Belgium – The European Union (EU) has expressed serious concern regarding a draft bill currently under discussion in the Israeli parliament that could significantly impact the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a statement, the office of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs said that the EU supports the UN Secretary-General’s appeal for attention to this matter, emphasising that the bill, if adopted, ‘would have catastrophic effects’ on the agency’s ability to provide essential services and protection to Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

A day earlier, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN Secretary-General, wrote on X, “Plans to ban UNRWA’s presence and operations in the West Bank and Gaza are unacceptable. If implemented, a ban would, in effect, deprive Palestinians of lifesaving services, such as health care.”

Should the legislation be enacted, it would effectively annul the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA, resulting in the cessation of all agency operations within Israel and East Jerusalem, the EU stated. ‘This move would endanger critical life-saving services in Gaza and severely disrupt health, education, and social support systems in the West Bank. Moreover, the bill would revoke UNRWA’s diplomatic privileges and immunities, further hindering its capacity to operate effectively in the region.’

The EU has urged Israeli authorities to allow UNRWA to continue its vital work as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency serves millions of people across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and other areas, including Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, and is considered a cornerstone of regional stability. Its operations are deemed essential in creating conducive conditions for a credible pathway towards a two-state solution. As a staunch supporter of the United Nations and its multilateral framework, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to UNRWA, closely monitoring the implementation of recommendations from the Independent Review Group report aimed at enhancing neutrality, accountability, and oversight within the agency’s operations.