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UN defends UNRWA's role after high-court hearing raises legal questions
Summary
A reporter asked whether Israel is legally required to use UNRWA rather than another UN agency; the UN spokesperson said UNRWA's work is vital and referenced a recent International Court of Justice decision calling for respect for UNRWA's work.
Journalist Mike Wagenheim asked whether the state of Israel is legally obliged to specifically utilize UNRWA services rather than those of another UN agency after a high-court hearing in Israel addressed petitions related to UNRWA-related services.
"Our position, has always been, that, the work of the UN relief and works agency is vital to our humanitarian efforts," spokesperson Farhan said, adding that the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice also "calls for respect for UNRWA's work." He framed UNRWA as central to humanitarian engagement with populations in the occupied Palestinian territory and neighboring countries.
The briefing did not provide a legal citation for the ICJ ruling referenced and did not read out the high court's decision in Israel; the transcript records that a petitioner's lawyer told the Israeli high court the state need not specifically use UNRWA, but Farhan emphasized the agency's operational importance and called for respect for its work.
No policy change or legal directive was announced at the briefing.
