In response to the Israeli parliament’s approval of laws restricting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the decision on October 29, 2024, citing it as a violation of international standards. The new legislation restricts UNRWA’s essential humanitarian activities within the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, which, according to the UAE, will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The UAE highlighted UNRWA's pivotal role in supporting Palestinians amid ongoing conflict, especially in Gaza.
MoFA reiterated its commitment to international efforts aimed at advancing the Middle Eastern peace process, opposing practices that threaten the two-state solution, and supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Ministry emphasized the UAE’s dedication to safeguarding Palestinian rights and promoting stability, while calling on other nations to support UNRWA’s mission of providing necessary aid amidst worsening conditions.
