Cairo, December 30 (QNA) - The Arab League has condemned an Israeli law approved by the Knesset that would cut electricity and water supplies to offices of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, describing it as part of a long-running campaign against the organization.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Arab League's Secretariat-General for Palestine and the occupied Arab territories said the legislation followed a series of illegal measures aimed at banning UNRWA's work in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The statement said the law constituted a flagrant violation of the privileges and immunities of United Nations organizations, and a direct challenge to UN General Assembly decisions, including those linked to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's obligations towards the UN, international organizations and other states in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

The Arab League warned that the law, which it said entered into force immediately after being approved, would have catastrophic consequences", severely undermining UNRWA's ability to deliver essential services to Palestinian refugees. It said those services were indispensable, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and stressed the agency's key role in reconstruction efforts.

The statement called on the international community — including states, organizations and institutions — to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities, and to confront Israeli decisions and practices targeting UNRWA. It urged the adoption of punitive measures against Israel to compel it to reverse the legislation and comply with international law and international legitimacy resolutions. (QNA)