RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned Israel’s decision to close six schools in East Jerusalem operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), calling it a violation of international law and a threat to humanitarian efforts.
In a statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the closure orders as a "blatant violation of international norms" and a form of "systematic targeting" of UNRWA by the Israeli occupation authorities.
The ministry warned that Israel's activities jeopardize humanitarian efforts and worsen the situation, saying it "condemns in the strongest terms" the action. It also reaffirmed the Kingdom's categorical condemnation of Israel's actions.
Riyadh also criticized what it described as the international community’s silence in the face of repeated Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, stating that such inaction “undermines the chances of achieving peace in the region.”
According to UNRWA, the closure orders followed the forcible entry of Israeli security forces into six agency-run schools, which have now been instructed to shut down within 30 days.
About 800 students' educations are at risk due to the closures, according to UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini.
“These illegal closure orders come in the wake of Knesset legislation seeking to curtail UNRWA operations,” Lazzarini said, noting that the schools are protected under UN privileges and immunities.
[Reported by Saudi Press Agency]
