The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has called to push back against efforts by Israel to have the organisation disbanded, Reuters reports.

“Israel has long been critical of the agency’s mandate. But it now seeks to end UNRWA’s operations, dismissing the agency’s status as a United Nations entity supported by an overwhelming majority of Member States,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said at a meeting of the agency’s advisory commission.

“If we do not push back, other UN entities and international organizations will be next, further undermining our multilateral system.”