German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that the expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip would be “unacceptable” after US President Donald Trump floated a plan to move them to Egypt and Jordan, AFP reports.
“In light of recent public statements, I say very clearly that any relocation plans — the idea that the citizens of Gaza will be expelled to Egypt or Jordan — is unacceptable,” Scholz said at a town hall event in Berlin.
Speaking yesterday, Scholz reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution and said the Palestinian Authority should take responsibility for the Gaza Strip. “Peace can only come about if there is the hope of a self-governing future,” Scholz said.
“All those who believe that there can be a chance for peace in the region that is not based on self-government for the West Bank and Gaza in a Palestinian state — that will not work,” he said.
On the other hand, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain have told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that they “deeply deplore” the Israeli parliament’s decision to “abolish” UNRWA’s operations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“We condemn Israel’s withdrawal from the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA and any attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate and carry out its UNGA mandate,” the group said in a joint statement to the UNSC.
The bloc also demanded the “suspension of the entry into force” of the Israeli laws banning UNRWA, which they said did not comply with international law and the UN Charter.
“We support UNRWA as part of our humanitarian commitment and our firm defence and respect of international law, including international humanitarian law,” they said.
