Jordan condemns Israeli Knesset’s classification of UNRWA as ‘terrorist’ organisation

AMMAN — Jordan on Monday condemned the decision by the Israeli Knesset earlier in the day to classify UNRWA as a terrorist organisation, describing the move as “an attempt to eliminate and politically assassinate the agency”.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Israeli move targeted UNRWA’s symbolism that affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return and receive compensation according to the international law.

Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah stressed that the ongoing Israeli allegations and actions targeting UNRWA, aiming to eliminate it and cancel its pivotal and essential role in providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people according to its UN mandate, represent a blatant violation of the international law and Israel's obligations as the occupying force.

Qudah underscored the importance of the agency’s role in providing vital services to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation, especially in the Gaza Strip, which is suffering from an unprecedented humanitarian disaster due to the ongoing and continuous Israeli aggression since October 7.

He also stressed the need for the international community to continue providing the necessary political and financial support to UNRWA so that it can continue its “indispensable” humanitarian role until the Palestinian issue is resolved based on the two-state solution that embodies an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders.