Qatar urges Israel to allow UNRWA to operate

Doha has submitted a written memorandum to the International Court of Justice stressing  “the necessity of respecting and protecting UN and international organisation properties, including schools, medical facilities, transportation, and water infrastructure”.

The memorandum, submitted as part of a request for an advisory opinion from the court, also seeks clarification on Israel's responsibilities regarding the presence an activities of UN agencies, the UN agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) in particular.

Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement issued on Friday, that the memorandum was in response to a resolution by the UN General Assembly in December, titled "Request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s Obligations Regarding the Presence of United Nations Activities, International Organizations, and Third States".

“Israel must allow UN agencies, including UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations, to operate freely within its borders and the occupied Palestinian territories," the submission reads.

In October, the Knesset passed two bills that effectively ban UNRWA activities in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory.