UNRWA cannot be replaced, say UN top officials in response to Knesset ban
2024-10-29 12:00
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland have issued a joint statement in response to a recent vote by the Israeli Knesset to ban UNRWA from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The statement, released on 28 October 2024, expresses deep concern over the Knesset’s decision and emphasizes that UNRWA’s work is essential for the well-being of Palestine refugees.
“UNRWA provides critical services to Palestine refugees, including healthcare, education, and social services,” the statement reads. “These services are essential for the well-being of Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region.”
The statement also notes that UNRWA is a UN-mandated agency that has been providing services to Palestine refugees for over 70 years.
“UNRWA’s mandate was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and has been renewed every three years since then,” the statement reads. “This mandate is supported by the vast majority of UN member states.”
The statement concludes by calling on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision and to allow UNRWA to continue its work in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“UNRWA’s work is essential for the well-being of Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region,” the statement reads. “We urge the Israeli government to reconsider its decision and to allow UNRWA to continue its work.”
The Knesset’s vote to ban UNRWA came after a long-running campaign by Israeli officials to discredit the agency. In recent years, Israeli officials have accused UNRWA of being biased against Israel and of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee problem.
UNRWA has denied these accusations, and has emphasized that its work is impartial and humanitarian. The agency has also pointed out that the majority of Palestine refugees are not living in the occupied Palestinian territories, but in other countries in the Middle East.
The Knesset’s vote to ban UNRWA has been met with widespread condemnation from the international community. The United States, the European Union, and the United Nations have all expressed their support for UNRWA and have called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision.
The ban on UNRWA is the latest in a series of Israeli measures that have made life increasingly difficult for Palestine refugees. In recent years, Israel has cut funding to UNRWA, demolished Palestine refugee homes, and restricted the movement of Palestine refugees.
These measures have been widely condemned by human rights organizations, which have accused Israel of violating the rights of Palestine refugees.
UNRWA cannot be replaced, say UN top officials in response to Knesset ban
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