GAZA June 12. 2024 (Saba) - Benjamin Netanyahu's government has discussed far-reaching measures against UN agencies operating in Israel and the Palestinian territories, including the possible expulsion of staff, five people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
This hardening of Israel's attitude was spurred by the move late last week of António Guterres, UN secretary-general, to add Israel's military to a list of countries and organisations that fail to protect children in conflict — which puts the Israel Defense Forces on a par with Boko Haram and Isis, the paper added.
The Israeli cabinet considered a range of options at a meeting on Sunday night, with the National Security Council continuing discussions on Monday, according to two people familiar with the matter.
While no final decision has been taken, measures under discussion include the "slow-roll" or outright rejection of visa renewals for foreign UN staff, the boycott by the Israeli government of key UN officials, as well as the unilateral termination and expulsion of entire UN missions, such as the UNTSO peacekeeping force established in 1948.
Additional alarm has been raised in western diplomatic circles about the fate of UN agencies that are integral to humanitarian aid operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including the Unicef children's agency and OCHA, according to FT.
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resource : Saba
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