The implementation of the law banning the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) could threaten Israel with consequences from the United States. This was stated by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a briefing on October 29.
“We are deeply concerned about the introduction of this bill. “It could lead to the cessation of UNRWA activities in the West Bank, Gaza… There may be consequences under US law and policy regarding the implementation of this bill.” – Miller said.
He noted that UNRWA is doing work that no one else is currently capable of doing, especially in the Gaza Strip. The organization, according to a State Department spokesperson, is a partner in delivering food, water and other humanitarian aid to the enclave’s population, and if UNRWA disappears, the Palestinians will have no one to receive it from. Miller emphasized that the department opposes banning the work of a humanitarian organization precisely for this reason.
US Secretary of State Antonio Blinken sent a letter to Israel condemning the bill to ban UNRWA.
