Israel has issued a warning to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), giving the organization just six days to halt its operations in East Jerusalem. The move comes as tensions continue to escalate in the region, with clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters taking place on a near-daily basis.
UNRWA, which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, has long been a source of contention for Israel. The Israeli government accuses the agency of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee problem and of being biased against Israel in its operations.
In a statement released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the government said that UNRWA’s activities in East Jerusalem are “illegal and unacceptable” and that the organization must cease its operations in the city within six days. The statement also accused UNRWA of being involved in incitement and of supporting terrorism.
The decision to expel UNRWA from East Jerusalem is likely to further strain relations between Israel and the United Nations. The UN has repeatedly called on Israel to allow UNRWA to continue its operations in the city, arguing that the agency plays a crucial role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA has not yet responded to Israel’s ultimatum, but the agency has previously defended its presence in East Jerusalem, saying that it is necessary to provide assistance to the thousands of Palestinian refugees living in the city. The agency has also denied the Israeli government’s accusations of bias and involvement in terrorism.
The escalating tensions in East Jerusalem come at a time of heightened unrest in the region, with violence flaring up between Israelis and Palestinians in recent weeks. The international community has called for calm and for both sides to exercise restraint, but so far, there has been no sign of the violence abating.
It remains to be seen how UNRWA will respond to Israel’s ultimatum, and what the consequences of the agency’s potential expulsion from East Jerusalem will be. In the meantime, the situation in the region continues to be volatile, with no end in sight to the cycle of violence and unrest.
