EU, 14 Countries Voice Support For UNRWA

Amman, Aug. 28 (Petra)-- The European Union and Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have expressed their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

In a joint statement issued Friday, the countries, which are members of UNRWA's Advisory Commission, strongly condemned the illegal entry into the agency's training center in Qalandia and the seizure of its facilities in occupied East Jerusalem on August 25, according to Italy's AKI news agency.

"We, members of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, strongly condemn the illegal entry into the agency's training center in Qalandia and the seizure of its facilities in East Jerusalem on the 25th of this month," the statement said.

The signatories called on Israel to fulfill its obligations and immediately cease all forms of interference with UNRWA's activities and operations.

The statement stressed that the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations protects UN premises under international law and must be respected.

The signatories and the European Union also urged the Israeli authorities to "immediately and fully comply with their obligations under the United Nations" to enable UNRWA to carry out its mandated activities without interference.

//Petra// MF

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