The United Nations will soon be asking Israeli and Palestinian authorities questions which it is hoped will lead to a better understanding of what has happened in Jenin and other Palestinian cities.
This is being done at the request of the General Assembly after the investigation authorised by the Security Council failed to achieve Israeli cooperation.
The report, which will be done by U.N. Secretariat staff, is expected to take six weeks, after the letters have gone out to the two authorities, this week.
Rene Aquarone, Chief of the Geneva Liaison Office of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), after visiting the occupied territories told reporters that Israel may soon require one-month travel permits for Palestinians who wish to travel from one city to another and those holding Jerusalem identity cards may not be allowed permission to visit any occupied areas.
“We are very concerned because if these announced measures are put into effect, this will cripple the activities of the Agency,” Mr. Aquarone said. “We are trying to engage with the authorities and explain to them that of course this is not in conformity with the responsibilities of Israel as an occupying power, and certainly not in accordance either with its responsibilities to the Agency.”
This is being done at the request of the General Assembly after the investigation authorised by the Security Council failed to achieve Israeli cooperation.
The report, which will be done by U.N. Secretariat staff, is expected to take six weeks, after the letters have gone out to the two authorities, this week.
Rene Aquarone, Chief of the Geneva Liaison Office of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), after visiting the occupied territories told reporters that Israel may soon require one-month travel permits for Palestinians who wish to travel from one city to another and those holding Jerusalem identity cards may not be allowed permission to visit any occupied areas.
“We are very concerned because if these announced measures are put into effect, this will cripple the activities of the Agency,” Mr. Aquarone said. “We are trying to engage with the authorities and explain to them that of course this is not in conformity with the responsibilities of Israel as an occupying power, and certainly not in accordance either with its responsibilities to the Agency.”