UNRWA warns against Israel's ban for its possible "disastrous consequences"

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UNRWA warns against Israel's ban for its possible "disastrous consequences"

2024-11-07 19:32 Last Updated At：21:17

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, has warned against the collapse of the humanitarian system in the Gaza Strip, with "disastrous consequences," after Israel passed a law prohibiting the agency from operating in Israel.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday at "UNRWA's darkest hour," Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the agency, said the Israeli parliament Knesset's legislative action poses an imminent and existential threat to the UNRWA

"Today, millions of Palestinian refugees fear that the public services on which their lives depend will soon disappear. They fear that their children will be deprived of education, that illnesses will go untreated, and that social support will stop. Seventeen thousand UNRWA personnel in the occupied Palestinian territory fear that they will lose their employment. The entire population of Gaza fears that their only remaining lifeline will be cut," he said.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing on the same day that the UN has written to the Israeli Foreign Ministry reminding them of their obligations under international law.

He also said that if the UNRWA is no longer able to operate, it would be the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to replace its services that it delivers to civilians in education, in health and all sorts of other areas.

The Knesset passed two laws on Oct 28, with one barring the UNRWA from "operating any institution, providing any service, or conducting any activity, whether directly or indirectly" within Israeli territory, and another banning Israeli authorities from any contact with the UNRWA.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had formally notified the UN of the termination of its agreement reached with the UNRWA in 1967 that covered the protection, movement and diplomatic immunity of the agency in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The ministry also said that the UNRWA would be replaced by other international organizations.

Established in 1949, the UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance, education and health services to registered Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

CIIE exhibitor from US hopes to see "open trade" between China, US

2024-11-07 20:18 Last Updated At：20:37

A U.S. exhibitor participating in the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai has said he would love to see an "open trade completely" between his country and China.

One of the exhibitors who have brought to the expo the most eye-catching products, the U.S. Soybean Export Council has seen its booth packed with visitors curious about its virtual reality (VR) display that offers them an immersive experience of soybean farming in the U.S.

"We leave the residue on the fields, so when it rains, it protects the soil from washing away. That's the big thing we are talking about. Sustainable ways. And not only that, but it also helps to sequestration carbon out of the air, and put back to the soil," said Ronnie Russell, director of the American Soybean Association.

Soybean trade is one of the key sectors for trade between China and the U.S., and even a barometer of the relationship between the two countries. Although it has seen a decline in recent years, the American Soybean Association still sees potential for growth, and hopes the governments from both sides could push for that trend.

"We would love to see open trade completely between both of our countries absolutely. So I think that we need to look beyond some of those trade barriers that may not be necessary agriculture related, maybe even politically related, but we certainly see the importance of that as American growers," said Russell.

Various American businesses and associations are also displaying their agricultural products,including potatoes, meat, poultry, and eggs, at the expo.

Allan Gabor, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, shared a positive outlook for future trade and cooperation in food products between the two nations.

"The future looks really good. I think our countries enjoy each other's food products. I think the whole aspect of the modernization of the supply chain for food and agriculture in China is improving tremendously. It's also an area where our companies can contribute," he said.

Running from Nov 5 to 10, this year's CIIE has attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. It also sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event.