United Nations, January 29 (RHC)-- Seven countries have told the United Nations Security Council that they deplore Israel's ban of the UNRWA. 

Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain have said that they “deeply deplore” the Israeli parliament’s decision to “abolish” UNRWA’s operations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“We condemn Israel’s withdrawal from the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA and any attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate and carry out its UNGA mandate,” the group said in a joint statement to the UNSC.

The bloc also demanded the “suspension of the entry into force” of the Israeli laws banning UNRWA, which they said did not comply with international law and the UN Charter.

“We support UNRWA as part of our humanitarian commitment and our firm defence and respect of international law, including international humanitarian law.” 

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says the majority of UN Security Council (UNSC) members “expressed their steadfast support” for the organization, whose operations Israel is scheduled to end.

In a post on social media, UNRWA said the UNSC members had expressed grave concern over Israel’s plans to shut down its office in occupied East Jerusalem, which would prevent it from providing “essential services” to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

However, one permanent member of the UNSC, the United States, did not express such concern.  U.S. deputy ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, told the council meeting that there were other humanitarian organizations that could do UNRWA’s job.

The claim comes as the Trump administration said it supports Israel’s decision to close UNRWA’s office in East Jerusalem – a move condemned by the UN, aid groups, and a number of governments.