Speech delivered by Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell: ” In fact, we do not have words to describe the unprecedented level of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Israeli operation in Northern Gaza continues, leading to more casualties among civilians, a blockade of aid, and people being prevented from returning to their homes.

There have been several mass casualties, bombings and attacks on healthcare facilities and workers. The United Nations has warned that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip which have practically received no humanitarian assistance for over a month. Either convoys are not allowed to enter or if they are, looting prevents people from accessing the assistance provided.

We therefore need an immediate ceasefire and release of all remaining hostages.

Israel’s continued attacks against the United Nations must stop. We have to defend our vision of a rules-based global order, especially when the United Nations Secretary-General [António Guterres], peacekeepers or a humanitarian agency are being threatened.

UNRWA provides essential services to millions of people in the region – not only the West Bank and Gaza, but also Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. In addition to the delivery of life-saving support, UNRWA also plays a fundamental role in providing daily education, health and social services. No United Nations agency can take over UNRWA’s special mandate, as repeatedly repeated by UN officials. It provides services to individuals based on their status, register Palestine’s refugees in several human development fields, namely education, health, relief and social services and emergency assistance.

Let us stress that no other UN Agency is specifically mandated to directly operate health or educational facilities. This Israeli legislation could directly impact UNRWA’s delivery of essential education and healthcare services, leaving about 340,000 students and over 1,000,000 patients without access to schools or clinics over the occupied Palestinian territory.

Additionally, more than 14,500 local jobs in education and healthcare, key for both service delivery and community stability, are at risk.

Recognising the disastrous consequences that this legislation would have for UNRWA’s operations, the European Union reached out in advance of the vote in the Knesset to persuade the Israeli government to reconsider.

Now that the laws have been adopted, we have called on Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue carrying out its crucial work in line with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly. We believe we have to continue our strong advocacy efforts with key like-minded partners – including the United Nations and G7 – towards the Israeli government. UN Secretary General António Guterres has sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu requesting him not to implement the legislation.

The legislation is due to enter into force in less than 90 days. As the United Nations itself has relentlessly expressed, there is no alternative to UNRWA.

Thus, it is essential that we continue reaffirming our strong support to UNRWA – further to the clear language in the European Council Conclusions. As a sign of our support, the European Union disbursed its entire financial support of €82 million for 2024.”