Switzerland concerned about implications of Israel’s laws against UNRWA

The Israeli parliament voted overwhelmingly on Monday in favour of a bill banning the activities of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Israel, despite objections from the United States and the UN. “Switzerland is concerned about the humanitarian, political and legal implications of these decisions,” stated the Swiss foreign ministry on social media platform X. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The text was approved by the Knesset by 92 votes to 10. Israel has long been highly critical of the UN agency and has accused some UNRWA employees of having taken part in the terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 and of being fighters for Hamas. For the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini of Switzerland, the ban "sets a dangerous precedent" and is the latest episode in "an ongoing campaign to discredit" the agency. He felt that the ban would "exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinians". If this ban is implemented, "it will ...