The head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini said, “Let's be clear, the attacks against UNRWA are not about neutrality. The reason behind it is to strip the Palestinian refugees from their refugee status.”
Briefing the Security Council today (17 Apr) on Gaza, Lazzarini said, “Across the border, food and clean water wait. But UNRWA is denied permission to deliver this aid and save lives. This outrage is occurring despite consecutive orders by the International Court of Justice to increase the flow of aid into Gaza – which can be done if there is sufficient political will. You have the power to make the difference.”
He also said, “The Agency is under enormous strain. It is facing a campaign to push it out of the occupied Palestinian territory. In Gaza, the government of Israel seeks to end UNRWA’s activities. The Agency’s requests to deliver aid to the north are repeatedly denied. Our staff are barred from coordination meetings between Israel and humanitarian actors. Worse, UNRWA premises and staff have been targeted since the beginning of the war.”
He continued, “We demand an independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations, and facilities under international law. To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent and compromise humanitarian work around the world.”
He stressed, “The Agency exists because a political solution does not. It exists in lieu of a State that can deliver critical public services. The international community has long attempted to contain, rather than resolve, the Israel-Palestine conflict. Lip-service is paid to the two-state solution each time an escalation occurs, costing lives and hope.”
He stated, “UNRWA has long been a custodian of the rights of Palestine Refugees. It can only relinquish its central role of providing critical services and protecting human rights when a political solution is realized. Until then, the political support of Member States must be matched by funding.”
Also addressing the Council, Ziad Abu Amr, Special Representative of the President of the Observer State of Palestine, said, “The agency UNRWA is the best thing the United Nations can do during these circumstances by combining international oversights, national capacities, and skillful coordination to ensure humanitarian assistance, protection, sustainable development, and protection of rights.”
Gilad Erdan, Israeli Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said, “The October 7th massacre was the embodiment of the Palestinian so called right of return. That is exactly how they understand it. But it doesn't have to be this way. There are alternatives to UNRWA, among them NGOs and other UN agencies. Israel cannot and will not allow UNRWA to continue in Gaza as it did in the past.”
Ayman Safadi, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said, “It is UNRWA, the backbone of humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Israel wants to break it. Do not allow it to do so. UNRWA deserves your support, because only UNRWA has the ability to meaningfully help starved Palestinians in Gaza and provide vital services to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operations.”
Before the Security Council meeting, UNRWA Commissioner Mr. Philippe Lazzarini addressed the press and said, “Today UNRWA keeps being accused of perpetrating the refugee status. But what's perpetuating the refugee status is the absence of a political solution.”
He concluded, “We have been a lasting temporary organization, but if today we are genuine in a political process, the agency can become again of a temporary nature and an accompanied transition in order for a future state of Palestine to take over the public services, like education and primary health.”
#unitednations #unrwa #palestine #israel
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