Algeria defends Palestinians’ right to humanitarian aid at the ICJ
Algeria’s representative in the public hearings of the International Court of Justice concerning the advisory opinion on “The obligations of the Israeli occupying power with regard to the presence and activities of the United Nations, international organizations, and other states in the occupied Palestinian territories,” delivered a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in caring for millions of Palestinian refugees amid the worsening Zionist blockade, and called for the prevention of any ban on the agency’s activities.
“Algeria wants to remind you that there are more than 6 million registered Palestinian refugees with UNRWA, which manages 58 camps and 711 schools attended by 550,000 students,” Maya Sahli Fadel said in her address before representatives from over 40 countries and organizations.
The Algerian representative emphasized that “Israel, the occupying power, has refused to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, leaving Palestinians deprived of the most basic necessities of life. It is also pursuing a policy aimed at obstructing UNRWA’s work and is advancing legislation through the Knesset that deepens these violations.”
In its plea defending the Palestinians’ right to relief and humanitarian aid, Algeria affirmed that “Israel is under an obligation not to hinder or obstruct the work of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.”
Algeria is participating in these hearings with a legal team led by Maya Sahli Fadel, an international human rights expert and former Vice-Chair of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, alongside Samia Bourouba, an expert in international law and a member of the African Union’s International Law Commission.
The hearings, which are set to continue until early May, come in response to “Israel’s” decision to ban the activities of UNRWA.
Algeria had also participated in the written phase of this advisory proceeding by submitting a written statement, in accordance with the various procedures announced by the International Court of Justice in this regard.
On Monday, Algeria was represented by its ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Salima Abdelhak, at the opening of these public hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. During the hearings, 40 countries will present their pleas, along with the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union.
