Van Hollen Statement on Knesset Move to Effectively Ban UNRWA Operations

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Knesset's votes to effectively ban UNRWA operations:

"Today's move by the Knesset will undermine the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians at a time when millions of civilians are living in a full-blown humanitarian crisis and are on the brink of starvation. UNRWA plays a critical role in supporting civilians in Gaza as well as the West Bank and elsewhere in the region, and as countless international organizations have attested to, its efforts cannot simply be replicated or replaced quickly. Once again, the Netanyahu Government and its allies are throwing up insurmountable roadblocks to providing for the basic rights and needs of Palestinian civilians. And once again the Netanyahu Government continues to ignore urging by the United States and the international community, who have repeatedly expressed concern over this proposal, given its ramifications on humanitarian assistance and its interference with Israel's obligations under international law. The Biden Administration must wholly condemn this move, and beyond that - it must put words into action when it comes to enforcing its demands that Israel facilitate immediate humanitarian relief to civilians in Gaza."