“Portugal condemns the approval of legislation by the Knesset [Israeli Parliament] that revokes the privileges and immunities of UNRWA, making action in Gaza and the West Bank unfeasible”, highlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a publication on X.

The ministry led by Paulo Rangel also stressed that “UNRWA's essential humanitarian aid services are at risk” with the approval of this law.

“With the United Nations and other partners, we continue to support UNRWA”.

The new legislation threatens to collapse the fragile aid distribution process in the Gaza Strip, at a time when the humanitarian crisis in the enclave is worsening and Israel is under increasing pressure from the United States to step up aid to the Palestinians.

In early 2024, Israel accused UNRWA of supporting the terrorist activities of the Islamic movement Hamas and said the organisation was helping to finance that militia group and was a shelter for 450 fighters.

Although the accusations were immediately denied, the organisation agreed to carry out an internal investigation to determine whether any employee was involved in Hamas operations or whether funds had been diverted to finance terrorist activities.