Cairo, Egypt – The Arab League strongly condemned on Tuesday the Israeli forces’ raid on the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem. The League considered this attack to be part of an ongoing campaign waged by Israel against the international agency.
In a statement issued by the League, Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit affirmed that the aim of this campaign is “to undermine its role and eliminate what it represents in preserving the rights of Palestinian refugees.”
“Illegal arguments”
Abu al-Gheit stated that “the justifications presented by Israel for this illegal incursion have no logical or legal basis.” He added that what is happening is “a continuous plan to end UNRWA’s presence and operations in the occupied territory.”
The Secretary-General appealed to the international community to “intervene effectively and decisively to put an end to this Israeli campaign targeting the UN agency.” The agency provides health, education, and relief services to millions of Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation.
In this context, Aboul Gheit recalled the important vote that took place at the United Nations a few days ago. The vote resulted in the extension of UNRWA’s mandate for an additional three years.
