Belize Condemns Israel’s Move to Cut Ties with UNRWA, Urges Global Action

Belize is strongly condemning Israel’s recent decision to cut ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Israel alleges that the group, which provides humanitarian aid and support to Palestinian refugees, has been inflated by members of the terrorist group Hamas. On Monday, Israel informed the UN that it had canceled a cooperation agreement from 1967 which provided the legal basis of the country’s relations with the agency. The country’s controversial move also followed the passing of two bills banning its authorities from engaging with UNRWA and prohibiting the agency’s operations within Israel. The UN has raised alarm over the consequences of these actions, with the Secretary-General warning that the effective ban on UNRWA would have devastating consequences. And, today, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca echoed that Belize condemns Israeli’s actions and urged the international community to take immediate action. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Very important and Belize we felt an absolute obligation, duty and obligation to make a very strong statement on this issue condemning Israel’s actions. This is an organization that serves the needs of the people, Palestinian refugees, migrants. And absolutely it is, I think, wrong-headed for Israel to take this position. So we wanted to make it very clear where we stood in terms of the importance of this organization to ensuring the health and safety and wellness and dignity of the Palestinian people. So we hope that the international community will join with Belize in condemning this latest action by Israel and work to ensure that the organization is restored and is able to continue its work in Gaza.”

Reporter:  Do you think Trump’s victory would affect what’s happening in the Middle East? 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Yeah, I mean it’s yet to be seen. Yeah, it’s yet to be seen. That’s a very difficult and complex issue. But you know, we will see. We will see what happens next year.”

The United Nations says that without the agency’s services, aid deliveries to vulnerable populations are expected to come to a halt, with children, the elderly, and women bearing the brunt of the impact.