As Israeli Ban Decision Approaches, UNRWA Staff Leave Occupied Jerusalem
Date
1/30/2025 4:01:21 AM
(MENAFN- Gulf Times) January 30 (QNA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was forced to move its international staff from occupied Jerusalem, hours before the scheduled start of implementing two Israeli laws that would stop UNRWA's work in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a press statement, the agency's spokesman Jonathan Fowler said that the Israeli entity shortened all visas for UNRWA's international staff to expire on Wednesday, Jan. 29, which "is tantamount to being evicted" or declared persona non grata.
As such, UNRWA's international staff at the East Jerusalem office had to evacuate and relocate to Amman, Jordan earlier in the day, he added.
The agencys spokesman expressed concerns about the Israeli occupation's intention to seize the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem, noting that "this is a compound which is a United Nations compound. It's protected under the 1946 Convention on Diplomatic Locations, benefits from the usual privileges and immunities.
On Oct. 28, the Israeli Knesset finally approved the ban on UNRWA's activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the decision will come into effect today.
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