Israel seeks designation of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) as terrorist organisation, but the European Union rejects this possibility.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borel, made it clear that the EU rejects any attempts to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization, stressing that it “will remain an essential lifeline for Palestinians.”

Borrell’s statements were made after his meeting yesterday (Wednesday) with the UNRWA Commissioner General Philip Lazzarini in Brussels.

Borrell reiterated the EU’s support for UNRWA, praising its work and team, and said that EU member states had restarted their financial support for the agency, with “the next batch of European Union funding on the way ».

He said that “there are no other words to describe the situation in Gaza». Day by day, death is everywhere. People don’t just lose their lives: hope and social fabric are destroyed.”

What we see, he added, offends her “conscience and international humanitarianism”.

Yesterday, the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) passed in first reading a bill to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organizationfollowing a proposal submitted by the ultra-conservative Yisrael Beitenu party.

The bill, known as the “United Nations Immunities and Privileges Bill,” was upheld in preliminary reading with 58 votes in favor and 6 votes against in the 120-member Knesset, the assembly said in a statement. Further readings and votes are required before it is voted on.

Israel is lobbying hard to shut down UNRWA, as it is the only UN agency specifically mandated to look after the basic needs of Palestinians refugees. Tel Aviv claims UN workers have ties to terrorist organizations, but independent sources say there is no evidence.