Qatar has submitted a memorandum to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), urging the court to issue an advisory opinion requiring Israel to allow the United Nations and other international organizations to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The memorandum, submitted on Friday, follows a UN General Assembly resolution from December 2024 requesting the ICJ’s opinion on Israel’s obligations regarding the presence of UN activities, particularly UNRWA, as well as other international organizations and third states.  

In its memorandum, Qatar emphasized that Israel must permit the UN and other international organizations, especially UNRWA and humanitarian agencies, to operate freely in the occupied Palestinian territories. Qatar also called on Israel to respect and protect the properties of these organizations, including schools, medical facilities, transportation, and water infrastructure, as well as the safety of their personnel, particularly those in humanitarian and medical fields.  

Additionally, Qatar stressed the need to ensure the unimpeded delivery of life-saving aid, such as food, clothing, and medical supplies, to the occupied Palestinian territories. The memorandum also urged the repeal of an Israeli law passed on October 28, 2024, which bans UNRWA activities in Israel and East Jerusalem. Qatar expressed confidence that the ICJ’s opinion would clarify critical legal issues to safeguard the livelihood of the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to self-determination.  

In a related statement, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for UNRWA, highlighting its vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. She warned that banning UNRWA’s activities would have severe humanitarian and political consequences, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their rights.