The European Union condemned the Zionist enemy authorities' ban on the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the region.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, said in a statement last night that the Israeli legislation raises concerns due to its comprehensive consequences for UNRWA operations in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza.

The statement indicated that the European Union condemns any attempts to cancel the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA, or to obstruct the UN agency's ability to perform its mandate, stressing that providing basic services to Palestinian refugees has become more important in light of the need to quickly implement the ceasefire agreement in particular.

It also stressed that the European Union is determined to continue its support to enable UNRWA to perform its mandate.

The EU said it was waiting for the recommendations of the Independent Review Group to be fully implemented, following the allegations against some UNRWA staff, calling on the UN to take more decisive steps to ensure impartiality and accountability, and to strengthen oversight to prevent such incidents.

On 28 November 2024, the Knesset overwhelmingly approved two laws that would prevent UNRWA from carrying out any activities inside Israel, withdraw privileges and facilities from it, and prevent any official contact with it.

The Israeli government's decision to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied East Quds came into effect last Thursday.