6 November 2024, New York – Statement on behalf of the European Union delivered by H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly to hear a briefing from Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on the situation of the Agency. 

The EU deplores the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, and the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine. At a time when access for humanitarian aid is at its lowest level since the start of this crisis, let me reaffirm the urgency of full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid at scale and of ensuring that humanitarian workers can operate safely and effectively. 

In this horrifying context, UNRWA plays a crucial role in the humanitarian response, delivering life-saving support to a population facing critical and immense needs. Over the last 13 months, 233 UNRWA personnel have been killed and over 200 UNRWA premises have been damaged or destroyed. These incidents underscore the urgent need for greater protection of humanitarian workers, their premises and assets. We call on all Parties to respect their obligations under international law, including International Humanitarian Law.  

In light of the recent Knesset decisions, the EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct UNRWA’s capacity to fulfil its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and renewed since. If implemented, the laws will have far-reaching consequences, stopping all UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, de facto preventing UNRWA’s vital operations in Gaza hampering UNRWA’s provision of health, education and social services both in the West Bank and Gaza and revoking UNRWA’s diplomatic privileges and immunities in Israel. This would spell catastrophe for the humanitarian response in Gaza. As stated by all Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and the Secretary General: There is no alternative to UNRWA.