Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By George Swarei
The Palestinian Embassy in Harare has strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset’s recent legislation aimed at restricting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) within the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The new law, which bans UNRWA activities and removes diplomatic privileges for its staff, has drawn widespread condemnation from global leaders, humanitarian organizations, and rights groups, all warning of a growing humanitarian crisis for Palestinian refugees.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “grave concern” about the legislation’s impact on essential services for over 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. “Undermining UNRWA’s operations risks creating intensified suffering for millions of Palestinians who rely on the agency for healthcare, education, and social support,” he stated. This legislation, he added, contradicts the UN’s mandate, established under Resolution 302 in 1949.
The European Union similarly called on Israel to reverse the legislation, stressing that “restricting UNRWA’s services will deepen the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, increasing poverty and instability.” Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International labeled the law “a violation of refugee rights” and warned that it “sets an alarming precedent for humanitarian agencies worldwide.”
Ambassador Tamer Almassri, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, warned that “this legislation is a blatant violation of the basic rights of Palestinians and is designed to block essential aid and services to millions of Palestinian refugees.” He described the legislation as an “attempt to dismantle the vital support systems in place for Palestinian communities,” emphasizing that it could result in “heightened poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and deprivation of educational opportunities” for Palestinian children.
The United Nations highlighted specific consequences for healthcare, with representatives warning that “cutting off medical aid is a direct threat to public health, likely resulting in disease outbreaks and increased infant mortality rates.” UNICEF expressed alarm at potential disruptions in education, noting that “depriving children of education fuels a cycle of poverty and hardship that will last generations.”
Ambassador Almassri expressed deep concern that the legislation undermines both the rights of Palestinians and the authority of the UN. “This is not just an assault on Palestinians; it is an attack on the very institutions and principles of the international system,” he stated, adding that “by undermining UNRWA, Israel is not only violating its own obligations but also challenging the legitimacy of the United Nations itself.”
He continued, “This legislation is an outright effort to erase the Palestinian refugee issue by denying their right to return and seek compensation. Israel’s actions only serve to further destabilize the region and make any hope for a just peace more elusive.”
The Palestinian Embassy in Harare concluded by calling for increased international support for UNRWA. “The world cannot remain silent as Palestinians are denied their fundamental human rights,” stated Ambassador Almassri. “We call on the international community to stand up for justice, uphold international law, and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine.”
The Embassy’s statement underscores the urgency of coordinated global action to safeguard Palestinian rights, support UNRWA’s mandate, and ensure that critical services remain accessible to Palestinian refugees facing mounting challenges.