KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia condemned Israel's decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza
The Foreign Ministry in a statement today described the move as a blatant assault against a United Nations agency.
"Malaysia unequivocally condemns the so-called legislation of the Israeli Knesset banning the UNRWA in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.
"Malaysia denounces this move as a blatant assault against a United Nations Agency. It is a serious insult to the international community and the sanctity of an international humanitarian
agency.
"The Zionist Israeli regime holds no sovereignty over the occupied State of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, where UNRWA's presence is welcomed by an agreement between Palestine and the United Nations
"This so-called legislation seemingly seeks to legalise what is an illegal and deliberate action of the Zionist Israeli regime to dismantle UNRWA as part of its strategy to erase the
Palestinian refugee issue, undermining the right of return, which is upheld by UN General Assembly Resolution 194, and starve those surviving the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and genocide in Gaza," read the statement.
The ministry said Malaysia remains steadfast in its support for UNRWA and urged the international community to take immediate, decisive action against the so-called legislation to safeguard the UN agency and to end the genocide against the Palestinians.
the UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied east Jerusalem, with 92 votes in favour and 10 against.
In a post on X, UNRWA's head Philippe Lazzarini said the move was unprecedented and set a dangerous precedent.
He said the move is the latest ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimise its role in providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine refugees.
"These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell."
UNRWA was established by the United Nations General Assembly and has been instrumental to providing an essential lifeline for over 5.9 million Palestinians in Palestine and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, providing critical services in education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, particularly amid the ongoing conflict.