Egypt has condemned Israel’s decision to ban the United Nations agency for Palestinians, calling it an “unacceptable disregard” for the UN, its agencies and the international community, AFP reports.

Israel officially informed the United Nations on Monday of its decision to cut ties with UNRWA, following a vote by Israeli lawmakers to bar the organisation, which is seen as vital for Palestinians.

“Egypt strongly condemns Israel’s withdrawal from the agreement governing the operations of UNRWA and its formal suspension of operations,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook late Monday.

The ministry called the move a “dangerous development” aimed at erasing the Palestinian cause, particularly the issue of refugees and their right of return.

It added that the decision represented “a new chapter in Israel’s blatant and systematic violations of international law and international humanitarian law”.