UPDATE - Qatar urges Israel to allow UNRWA, international organizations to operate in occupied territories

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, REVISES QUOTES

By Murat Basoglu and Ikram Kouachi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Qatar has submitted a written memorandum to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), emphasizing Israel’s obligation to allow the UN and other international organizations to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The memorandum, submitted as part of a request for an advisory opinion from the ICJ, seeks clarification on Israel's responsibilities regarding the presence and activities of UN agencies, particularly the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), as well as other international organizations and third nations.

In a statement issued on Friday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the memorandum was submitted in response to a Dec. 2024 resolution by the UN General Assembly, titled "Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations, and third states."

Qatar asserted in its submission that “Israel must commit to allowing the UN and other international organizations, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and other humanitarian organizations, to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories.”

The memorandum also stressed the necessity to “adhere to respecting and protecting the property of the UN and other international organizations, especially schools, facilities, transportation, and facilities, as well as their personnel, especially those working in humanitarian and medical fields.”

It further underscored “the need for commitment to allowing and facilitating relief programs and the distribution of life-saving aid in the occupied Palestinian Territories.”

Additionally, Qatar stressed the “need to repeal and halt the enforcement of the legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset on Oct. 28, 2024, that bans UNRWA activities in Israel and East Jerusalem and prevents all forms of contact between the Israeli authorities and UNRWA.”

Qatar expressed “confidence that the court's opinion will clarify these crucial legal issues in securing the livelihoods of the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to self-determination.”

Separately, in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad reiterated Qatar’s “firm position in support of UNRWA, based on its international commitments and multilateral action.”

“Since its establishment, UNRWA has consistently provided essential services and vital needs to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria,” the official said, warning that “banning the agency's activities would lead to serious humanitarian and political consequences.”

Last October, the Israeli parliament passed two laws that called for ending the UNRWA’s operations in Israel and occupied Palestinian territories and prohibiting Israeli authorities from having any contact with the agency. The laws came into effect on Jan. 30.

A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement has been in place since last month, pausing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 48,360 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.