Israel’s parliament gave preliminary approval on Monday to three bills that would shut down the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and classify it as a “terrorist” organization. The bills require two more readings to become effective.

“Israel's systemic efforts to dismantle UNRWA is unacceptable and, subsequently, negate the rights of Palestinian refugees to return and to be repatriated to their homes,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in English on X on Wednesday.

Indonesia, the ministry said, affirmed its full support for UNRWA and called on the international community “to stand firm in defending UNRWA’s humanitarian work, which provides a critical lifeline for millions of Palestinians”.

Established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA provides education, health and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It has played a pivotal role in delivering aid during Israel's ongoing military action in Gaza, which started in October of last year in response to a deadly surprise attack and hostage-taking by militant group Hamas.

Read also: Indonesia condemns Israeli bill labeling UNRWA terror group

The vote by the Israeli parliament in the first reading of the bills on Monday is the latest step in a political push against the UN agency, which Israeli leaders have accused of collaborating with the Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, Reuters reported.