International Court of Justice Photo: Remko de Waal/EPA
Norway has begun work on a draft resolution for the UN General Assembly aimed at supporting the Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) to ensure its continued operation. According to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the international community cannot allow systematic obstacles to humanitarian organisations that provide assistance to Palestinians, The Guardian reports.
The situation with Israel and UNRWA
Israel has recently passed two bills that ban UNRWA from its territory and block contacts with the UN agency. This decision complicates the provision of humanitarian assistance in Gaza, where UNRWA has reported significant damage to its facilities and losses among its staff due to Israeli actions.
In October 2023, Israel accused the agency’s staff of supporting Hamas during an attack on Israel, leading the UN to dismiss nine UNRWA employees and launch an investigation.
The role of the International Criminal Court
In connection with these events, Norway has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to provide an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations to facilitate humanitarian assistance provided by international organisations, including the UN. This request concerns humanitarian aid that should reach Palestinians under occupation.
The draft resolution is supported by Arab countries, and a vote on it in the UN General Assembly is scheduled for next month. Norway believes it is important to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian population in difficult circumstances.
Norway’s request to the ICC could lead to a legal conflict between Israel and international courts, as Israel refuses to comply with previous orders requiring an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. This issue will be a key one in relations between Israel and international organisations, including the UN, in the future.
