Palestine rejects ban by Israel on aid agencies

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestine on Wednesday rejected an Israeli decision to revoke the permits of 37 international humanitarian and relief groups operating in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the justifications provided by Israeli authorities for the ban, stressing that these organizations deliver vital humanitarian, health and environmental assistance to Palestinians.

The ministry reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and emphasized that the State of Palestine welcomes the work of nationally and internationally recognized organizations, especially those operating in accordance with established humanitarian standards.

It described Israel's actions to halt the work of these organizations as "piracy and thuggery" and a clear violation of international laws and norms, saying that no party has the right to suspend their services or obstruct their operations.

Israel "does not want any witnesses to its crimes" and is seeking to prevent institutions that support the Palestinian people and impede its "colonial project" aimed at destroying Palestinian life — particularly organizations working in vital sectors, the statement added.

It urged the international community and the United Nations to reject the Israeli measures and take punitive steps to confront these practices, especially restrictions imposed on humanitarian organizations, the shrinking space for freedoms in Palestine and the undermining of civil society and its national and international institutions.

Israel announced on Tuesday that the licenses of 37 international nonprofit organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank would expire on Thursday, claiming the groups did not comply with its new registration requirements.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also condemned the move, saying it was part of a continuing "systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct" the role it plays in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.

Agencies - Xinhua