Thank you, Mr. President.

We thank the Commissioner General for his briefing.

Indeed, the human suffering in Gaza is unbearable.
Much more humanitarian assistance must reach those in dire need.

It is our deep conviction that UNRWA remains an essential partner,
in preventing the humanitarian response in Gaza from collapsing
and in providing support to millions of Palestine refugees in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank and across the entire region.
Germany is gravely concerned about the adoption of two laws against UNRWA by the Israeli Knesset last week.
If implemented, these laws will have far-reaching consequences, effectively preventing UNRWA from delivering aid to people in need.
No organization can currently replace or substitute UNRWA’s capacity to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance in Gaza and across the region.

UNRWA’s mandate given by the General Assembly to assist Palestine refugees must be respected.
We therefore urge the Israeli Government to
- first, honor its international obligations,
- second, respect UNRWA’s privileges and immunities
- third, live up to its legal responsibility and allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into Gaza, and
- fourth, facilitate the provision of sorely needed basic services to the civilian population,
All of this must be done in accordance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 28 March 2024.

Germany firmly supports the essential role of the United Nations and its agencies in assisting Palestine refugees.
For this very reason, Germany has been one of the top donors of UNRWA for decades.

We are working towards a reformed UNRWA.
We expect UNRWA to continue implementing the recommendations of the Colonna Report on Neutrality in line with the Action Plan that the Agency has adopted to that effect.

Mr. President,
Both Palestinians and Israelis have the right to live in security and dignity within the safe borders of two states.
A ceasefire is urgently needed and the hostages need to be immediately released.
And we must do everything possible to improve the humanitarian situation.

We will maintain our support
to UNRWA and to the Palestinians in need, in Gaza and across the region.

Thank you, Mister President.