Hamish Falconer says legislation under consideration by Knesset is ‘neither in Israel’s interest nor realistic’

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Israel’s reputation as a democracy will be “deeply harmed” if the Knesset presses ahead with bills this week that would end all Israeli government cooperation with the Palestinian relief agency Unrwa, the UK’s Middle East minister has said.

Hamish Falconer said such a move at a time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was catastrophic and worsening would “neither be in Israel’s interest or realistic”.