UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations said Thursday its humanitarian relief agency UNRWA would continue working in all Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, despite Israeli legislation coming into force that cuts ties with the organization.
Israel decided to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees following accusations some of its staff belong to Hamas.
“UNRWA clinics across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are open. Meanwhile, the humanitarian operations in Gaza continues, including with UNRWA work there,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres.
UNRWA has long been the lead agency in coordinating aid to Gaza.
A series of investigations found some “neutrality related issues” at UNRWA — but stressed Israel had not provided evidence that a significant number of its staff belonged to “terrorist” organizations.
“UNRWA will continue to deliver on its mandate... until they’re no longer able to do so,” Dujarric said.
However he clarified that no staff were present at the agency’s headquarters in East Jerusalem, which mainly deals with administration. Palestinian employees are however working from other locations, while foreign employees had to leave Israel.
“We had taken precautions,” Dujarric said. “All the equipment inside, files, computers, everything had been removed, our vehicles as well.”
UN says UNRWA aid agency will continue work in all Palestinian territories
https://arab.news/gxx97
UN says UNRWA aid agency will continue work in all Palestinian territories
- Israel decided to ban UNRWA following accusations some of its staff belong to Hamas
- UNRWA has long been the lead agency in coordinating aid to Gaza
Presidents of UAE and European Commission discuss negotiations for free-trade deal
- Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Ursula von der Leyen say talks represent key step toward new opportunities for collaboration
- They also review regional and international issues, including latest developments in Middle East and Ukraine
LONDON: The UAE’s president, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, discussed cooperation on Monday, in particular Emirati-EU negotiations for a strategic partnership agreement.
They emphasized the importance of this for the enhancement of bilateral relations in a number of key areas, and to establish a comprehensive framework for working together, the Emirates News Agency reported.
The officials stressed that negotiations for a UAE-EU free-trade agreement represent a key step toward opening up new opportunities for collaboration.
During their telephone conversation they also reviewed regional and international issues including the latest developments in the Middle East, with a focus on how the humanitarian situation in Gaza might be improved to ensure sustained deliveries of aid to the population there.
They highlighted as an important step toward regional stability the need to establish a clear path to a just peace in the conflict between Israel and Palestine through a two-state solution, the agency added.
The presidents also discussed the latest developments in Ukraine and ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict there.
Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the support of his nation for all efforts to resolve crises through dialogue and political engagement, in alignment with its commitment to the promotion of peace and development globally.
