Banning UNRWA will lead to a vacuum and more suffering for Palestinians, the agency’s chief says

Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees says that newly passed Israeli laws effectively banning its activities in Israel will leave a vacuum that will cost more lives and create further in Gaza and the West Bank. Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA, told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the laws are “ultimately against the Palestinians themselves,” denying them a provider of lifesaving services, education and health care. He said the agency is looking for “creative ways to keep our operation going.” Israel alleges that Hamas and other militants have infiltrated the agency. UNRWA says it purges any staffers found to belong to militant groups.