UNRWA: Israel closes the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Jerusalem: “From today it is illegal”

The vice mayor of Jerusalem, Arieh Kingcelebrated on Thursday the closure of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which described from today as an entity “illegal”In the country, after the entry into force of two laws that vent the continuation of their educational and health activities in Israeli territory, as well as any contact with the Hebrew government.

“We are celebrating the first day of the law against UNRWA, against this Nazi and enemy organization”, Told Efe the Vicealcalde Arieh Kingin front of the headquarters of this agency, located in the Palestinian neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem.

“For years, decades, they thought they could do what they wanted and educate the Arabs in Jerusalem against the Jews and against Israel. As of today it is illegal”, Added the official, who had summoned this morning to the residents of Jerusalem to a“celebration”Closing, which barely attended a dozen participants.

Israel accuses UNRWA of having links with Hamásalthough at the moment it has only presented non -conclusive evidence against a dozen of its around 13,000 workers in the Gaza Strip. Diplomats believe that the ultimate goal of these laws for Israel is to seek to get rid of the statute of refugees that today enjoys more than 5 million Palestinians -counting the from the years of the 700,000 expelled in 1948-; Although its dismantling would not eliminate it.

“The UNRWA, instead of helping refugees to integrate does the opposite. UNRWA feeds on poverty and the precarious conditions in which they keep people”King continued, who said that it is time for them to stop living in camps and that, from now on, they will study under the same educational curriculum as any Israeli.

Painted by a David star

At 11:05 local time (9:05 GMT), one of King’s companions hung an Israeli flag of the main door of the URNWA headquarters; evicted yesterday by its workers, including half a hundred foreigners who, before the lack of visas – will be relocated to their other headquarters in Jordan.

And shortly after, after a toast with champagne and grape juice, the group of Israelis began to cover the poster of the poster with graffiti UNRWA in which the entity and the phrase could be seen: “Banking Land Office”Written in Arabic and English. Shortly after, among blurs, only a David star was distinguished.

“I am pleased that this building (the headquarters of the UNRWA) will be used by the Jews who live around, and not by the Nazis who have been here for so much years”Said King.

Although the law only prohibits them from operating on Israeli soil, in practice, the ‘non -contact policy‘ With government officials prevents UNRWA workers Gaza devastated, where UNRWA remains the main supplier of humanitarian aid.

This Monday, despite the shadow that looms over the entity, its headquarters, Philippe Lazzarini he insisted that the agency’s operations will continue despite the veto, and said that “The solution is not transfer“Your powers to other Oenegés but”transfer them to a Palestinian state and institutions”.