Unrwa ban could have 'consequences under US law'

The Biden administration said on Tuesday it is "deeply troubled" by the Knesset's decision to ban United Nations relief and works agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa) from working in occupied Palestine and operating in Israel, and that the move could have "consequences under US law".

"They are a key partner in delivering food, water and other humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza that wouldn't have anyone else to get it from if Unrwa were to go away. We have made clear our opposition to this bill," State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters.

"There could be consequences under US law and US policy for the implementation of this legislation. We are going to engage with the Government of Israel in the days ahead about how they plan to implement it. We're going to watch and see if there are legal challenges to the law and if there's any impact by those legal challenges, and then we will make our decisions," he said.