The head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says the agency is keen to step up its support to people in crisis after Israel’s decision to ban the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees.
Director-general Amy Pope cautioned, however, said there was “no way” that it could replace the work UNRWA does in Gaza.
Israel’s government passed two laws last night that ban UNRWA from working within the country and severely curtail its ability to work in the West Bank and Gaza (see 6.39 post).
The ban is set to come into effect within three months, at which point millions of Palestinian refugees will cut off from its help.
“UNRWA is absolutely essential to the people of Gaza, and I don’t want to leave anyone with the misimpression that IOM can play that role, because we cannot, but we can provide support to those people who are currently in crisis,” Ms Pope said.
“That is a role that we are very, very keen to play, and one that we will be stepping up with the support of various stakeholders.”
Israel has claimed UNRWA staff have colluded with Hamas in Gaza and that some workers participated in the 7 October attacks.
The UN investigated and fired nine of the accused, but said Israel hadn’t provided evidence for its broader allegations.
Leave a Reply