Updated 13:30
Irish politicians are among those who have sharply criticised the Trump administration's decision to cut funding to the UN's agency that supports Palestinian refugees.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney called the decision "heartless and dangerous".
It comes after the US State Department yesterday confirmed the US "will no longer commit further funding" to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Spokesperson Heather Nauert called the work of the organisation an "irredeemably flawed operation".
She claimed: "We are very mindful of and deeply concerned regarding the impact upon innocent Palestinians, especially school children, of the failure of UNRWA and key members of the regional and international donor community to reform and reset the UNRWA way of doing business.
"The United States will intensify dialogue with the United Nations, host governments, and international stakeholders about new models and new approaches".
It follows other controversial moves by the Trump administration in the region, including moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
The US has traditionally contributed the most funds to UNRWA, which works to support the estimated five million Palestine refugees.
The agency is almost entirely funded by contributions from UN member states.
Responding to the news from Washington, UN Secretary General António Guterres defended UNRWA, adding that the UN 'regrets' the US decision to cut funding.
A spokesperson for Mr Guterres said: "We appreciate [the US] support over the years.
"UNRWA has a strong record of providing high-quality education, health and other essential services, often in extremely difficult circumstances, to Palestine refugees who are in great need.
"The Secretary-General calls on other countries to help fill the remaining financial gap, so that UNRWA can continue to provide this vital assistance, as well as a sense of hope this vulnerable population."
An aerial view of Gaza, Palestinian Territories, 13 February 2018. Photo: Stefanie Jarkel/dpa
"Flagrant assault"
The announcement was quickly condemned by Palestinian authorities.
A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described it as "a flagrant assault against the Palestinian people" that was violation of UN resolutions.
The statement, quoted by Reuters, added: “Such a punishment will not succeed to change the fact that the United States no longer has a role in the region and that it is not a part of the solution.”
Here, Tánaiste Simon Coveney took to Twitter to criticise the 'shocking' decision.
This decision is shocking + will make peace even more difficult. How can u promote peace+target innocent children in this way. @UNRWAâ© runs 700 schools, Heathcare + emergency relief for millions of Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza. https://t.co/2WbbKahCa2
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 31, 2018
In a more detailed statement, he added: “I believe this step both heartless and dangerous, and will impact negatively on the Middle East region. And I have made my views on this absolutely clear in contacts with the US administration."
He noted he had seen first-hand the 'excellent work' that UNRWA does, including providing services to "those in Gaza who have nowhere else to turn".
He noted that providing education, aid and health facilities to refugees will be needed "until a resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict can be negotiated which meets the needs of both parties and resolves all final status issues, including the return of Palestine refugees".
Minister Coveney added that he'll speak with other EU member states about what more can be done to support UNRWA.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson called the Trump administration's move 'deplorable'.
She argued: “This decision will have a devastating impact on the lives of many Palestinian refugees as the agency could be forced to cut health care, education and social services."
Earlier this year, around 20 donors - including Ireland - committed to providing extra funding for UNRWA, after previous US cuts left the agency with a major funding gap of around $250 million.
