Germany also condemned the vote while the United States said it was “deeply concerned” about the bill before it was passed.
Speaking after the bills were passed, Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, said the agency was “irreplaceable” and would lead to civilians not being able to get food or medicine.
“If UNRWA goes away, you will see civilians — including children, including babies — not be able to get access to food and water and medicine that they need to live. We find that unacceptable,” he said.
“We continue to urge the government of Israel to pause the implementation of this legislation. We urge them not to pass it at all, and we will consider next steps based on what happens in the days ahead,” Miller said.
The spokesman noted that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had raised the issue during his recent trip to the region.
Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UNRWA, said that Israel’s ban of the organization’s operation inside the country “will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza”.
“The vote by the Israeli parliament (Knesset) against UNRWA this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent,” he said. “It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.”
The Palestinian presidency said it rejected the ban and said it would not allow such a move.
“We reject and condemn the legislation… We will not allow this,” Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the presidency in Ramallah, said in a statement.
“The overwhelming vote of the so-called Knesset shows Israel’s transformation into a fascist state.”