I welcome the ICJ hearing on the presence and activities of the United Nations and other organisations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Unlawful restrictions on the work of UNRWA and other organisations hamper the delivery of assistance to people in need.
The laws passed by the Parliament of Israel against UNRWA impact the agency's ability to fulfill its mandate.
The no contact policy under the Knesset laws bans Israeli officials from coordinating or communicating with UNRWA officials, obstructing the delivery of essential relief services and aid.
Since these restrictions came into effect at the end of January, UNRWA international staff have not received visas to enter Israel.
This is banning them from entering the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip where over 2 million people rely on the Agency services and assistance.
Several UNRWA facilities including schools in occupied East Jerusalem are also threatened by closure orders from the Israeli Authorities. Some 800 children are likely to miss out on finishing the school year if their schools are forced closed.
As an occupying power, the State of Israel must provide services or facilitate their delivery- including through UNRWA- to the population it is occupying.
This is a clear direction from the international community, through the UN General Assembly.
All parties to the conflict, including the State of Israel, must comply with all their obligations under international law at all times.
They must respect and protect United Nations personnel at all times.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
