Qatar has condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval in first reading of a draft law designating the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a terrorist organisation.

Qatar deemed this move as a flagrant violation of international laws and norms, and an extension of the systematic campaign that aims to disband the agency, at a time when there is an increasing need for its humanitarian services due to the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the necessity for the international community to stand resolutely against Israeli plans aimed at dismantling the agency and depriving millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon of its critical services.

It underscored Qatar’s full support for UNRWA, stemming from its unwavering and supportive position for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, foremost of which are the rights to establish their independent State on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.