New York (Monitoring Desk): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that if laws enacted against the Palestinian refugee aid agency UNRWA are not repealed and confiscated properties are not restored, Israel could be dragged before the International Court of Justice.
In a letter written on January 8 to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, António Guterres made it clear that the United Nations cannot remain silent over actions that constitute a blatant violation of international law and Israel’s global obligations. He emphasized that all measures taken against UNRWA must be immediately withdrawn.
It is worth noting that in October 2024, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law banning UNRWA’s activities in Israel and prohibiting government institutions from having any form of contact with the agency. The law was later amended to allow the suspension of electricity and water supplies to UNRWA offices.
Last month, Israeli authorities also seized UNRWA offices located in East Jerusalem. The United Nations considers East Jerusalem an occupied territory, while Israel regards the entire city as its capital.
Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, rejected Guterres’ letter, stating that Israel would not be intimidated by such threats. He claimed that pressure was being exerted on Israel by ignoring serious allegations of involvement of some UNRWA staff members in terrorist activities, arguing that this was not about upholding international law but rather about defending a controversial organization.
