UN chief considers referring Israel to International Court of Justice

UN Secretary-General Warns Israel Over Laws Targeting Palestinian Refugee Agency

In October 2024, Israel passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating within its borders. The agency’s operations have been restricted to prohibit contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA personnel.

A letter dated January 8 was sent to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning that Israel may face international repercussions if it does not repeal the law and return seized assets and property. Guterres stated that Israel’s actions are in contravention of its obligations under international law, which must be reversed without delay.

The law was amended last month to ban electricity and water services at UNRWA facilities, following the seizure of the agency’s East Jerusalem offices in October 2024. The UN considers East Jerusalem occupied by Israel, while Israel claims it as part of the country.

Guterres emphasized that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations and highlighted its obligations under the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN. The convention states that the premises of the UN are inviolable.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, responded to Guterres’ letter by stating that Israel is not concerned with the Secretary-General’s threats. Instead, he claimed that the agency is involved in terrorism and that the Secretary-General is defending it.

The UNRWA was established in 1949 following the war surrounding the founding of Israel. The agency has provided aid, health, and education services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Source: Al Jazeera