17 April 2024<\/p>\n
The Security Council met this afternoon on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.\u00a0 The Council heard a briefing from Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.<\/p>\n
PHILIPPE LAZZARINI,\u00a0Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East<\/u>\u00a0(UNRWA), stressed that UNRWA is a stabilizing force at a time of \u201cseismic change\u201d in the Middle East.\u00a0 It is the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza and, beyond the Strip, it has championed human development for Palestinian refugees for decades.\u00a0 He pointed out, however:\u00a0 \u201cToday, an insidious campaign to end UNRWA\u2019s operations is under way, with serious implications for international peace and security.\u201d\u00a0 While six months of relentless bombardment and a merciless siege have transformed Gaza beyond recognition, while its children are bearing the brunt of this war, and while a man-made famine is tightening its grip across the Strip, UNRWA is denied permission to deliver aid and save lives despite the food and clean water waiting across the border.<\/p>\n
While observing that an \u201coverwhelming\u201d majority of Member States support UNRWA\u2019s mandate, he pointed out that the Agency is facing a campaign to push it out of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.\u00a0 Israel seeks to end UNRWA\u2019s activities in Gaza, the Agency\u2019s requests to deliver aid to the north are repeatedly denied, staff are barred from coordination meetings between Israel and humanitarian actors and, worse, UNRWA premises and staff have been targeted since the beginning of the war.\u00a0 On that, he reported that 178 UNRWA personnel have been killed, and more than 160 UNRWA premises \u2014 mostly used as shelters \u2014 have been damaged or destroyed.\u00a0 Further, UNRWA personnel detained by Israel have shared harrowing accounts of mistreatment and torture in detention.\u00a0Demanding an independent investigation and accountability for the \u201cblatant disregard\u201d of the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations and facilities, he stressed:\u00a0 \u201cTo do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent and compromise humanitarian work around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to the \u201cserious allegations\u201d against individual UNRWA personnel that emerged in January, he reported that he immediately terminated the appointments of those concerned.\u00a0 Further, the Secretary-General ordered an investigation and, in parallel, an independent review group is assessing how UNRWA upholds neutrality.\u00a0 He pointed out, however, that \u2014 despite these prompt and decisive actions \u2014 a significant amount of donor funding remains suspended.\u00a0 \u201cThis has serious operational implications and undermines the financial sustainability of the Agency,\u201d he stressed, adding that calls for UNRWA\u2019s closure are not about adherence to humanitarian principles.\u00a0 Rather, they are about ending the refugee status of millions of Palestinians.\u00a0 \u201cAccusations that UNRWA deliberately perpetuates refugee status are false and dishonest,\u201d he stated, underscoring:\u00a0 \u201cThe Agency exists because a political solution does not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recalling that UNRWA was created 75 years ago as a stop-gap measure pending a political answer to the question of Palestine, he said that the Agency can \u201cretrieve its temporary nature\u201d if the international community truly commits to a political solution.\u00a0 To that end, he called on Council members to safeguard the Agency\u2019s critical role \u201cboth now and within the framework of a transition\u201d; to commit to a genuine political process; and to acknowledge that a political process alone will not guarantee sustainable peace.\u00a0 \u201cInstead, we must recognize \u2014 and reflect in our words and actions \u2014 that Palestinians and Israelis share a long and profound experience of grief and loss,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n
IAN BORG,\u00a0Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta<\/u>, Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity, said UNRWA is an \u201cindispensable lifeline\u201d for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the region, and a stabilizing force there.\u00a0 Malta continues to be a regular contributor to the Agency.\u00a0 \u201cPreserving the life-saving role and operations of UNRWA must be our primary objective,\u201d he said.\u00a0 The failure to uphold the rules of law in Gaza is evident in the continued onerous, arbitrary, and bureaucratic impediments preventing the scaling up of humanitarian aid.\u00a0He welcomed investigations into allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7\u00a0October attacks and an independent review into its adherence to the principle of neutrality and called on all parties to fully cooperate with the inquiries. \u00a0He appealed to those who suspended contributions to UNRWA to resume \u201cdesperately-needed\u201d funding and ensure that the Agency has the necessary resources to operate.\u00a0 In that regard, Malta recently issued a further financial contribution.\u00a0 \u201cIn these difficult times, we need to avoid politicizing the work of humanitarian actors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
AHMED ATTAF,\u00a0Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of Algeria<\/u>, said that UNRWA \u201cembodies the ideals and values on which this Organization \u2014 this house of humanity \u2014 is built\u201d.\u00a0 Further, it is the best and most authentic witness of the modern Nakba that Palestinians are enduring.\u00a0 However, the Agency is being shamefully targeted by the expansionist occupying Power \u2014 Israel \u2014 who is destroying its facilities, killing its staff and using pretexts to end its very existence.\u00a0 He stressed that the Agency is targeted because it is inextricably linked to resolutions that enshrine Palestinians\u2019 right to return to their homeland, and because it is a key component of \u201cIsrael\u2019s plot to liquidate the Palestinian cause\u201d.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, he called on the international community to protect UNRWA, facilitate its vital activities and guarantee it long-term, sufficient funding through the regular budget.\u00a0 He added that his country will contribute an additional $15\u00a0million for UNRWA, which must continue its work \u201cso long as there are Palestinian refugees\u201d.<\/p>\n
TSUKASA UEMURA,\u00a0Special Envoy for Middle East Peace of Japan<\/u>, said the crisis in Gaza has meant that \u201chuman dignity, to which Japan attaches great importance, is under threat\u201d, with a growing risk of destabilization of neighbouring countries.\u00a0 He noted that UNRWA is \u201cextremely important\u201d in providing humanitarian assistance.\u00a0 Turning to the allegations against UNRWA staff, he appreciated the progress being made to strengthen the Agency\u2019s governance.\u00a0 He welcomed the interim report of the Independent Review Group and UNRWA\u2019s Action Plan.\u00a0 Japan lifted its suspension of funding to the Agency on 2\u00a0April and has already disbursed some $35\u00a0million.\u00a0 It will provide aid to improve sanitary conditions in Gaza and medical services in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. \u00a0Considering the Independent Review Group\u2019s final report to be presented on 20\u00a0April, he underlined that his country will continue to support UNRWA\u2019s reform efforts and contribute to training to strengthen the neutrality of front-line management staff. \u00a0Since 7\u00a0October, Japan has contributed over $100\u00a0million in aid to the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n
The representative of the\u00a0Russian Federation<\/u>\u00a0pointed out that, despite the Council\u2019s demands in resolution 2728 (2024), military hostilities in Gaza are escalating.\u00a0 Under these conditions, the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the enclave\u2019s people is practically impossible, and UN agencies are saying \u2014 in unison \u2014 that human access is non-existent.\u00a0 According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the\u00a0Israeli Defense Forces are blocking half of the convoys heading to the Gaza Strip.\u00a0\u201cWe have warned time and time again that, in the absence of a lasting and sustainable ceasefire \u2014 which must be duly monitored by military observers \u2014 all of our humanitarian efforts are doomed,\u201d he said.\u00a0 No voluntary deconfliction can help when one party is intent on continuing hostilities \u2014 especially when a Council member signals that Council resolutions are supposedly \u201cnon-binding\u201d.\u00a0 Against that backdrop, he stressed that attempts to label UNRWA a terrorist organization or close it down are \u201ccategorically unacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Ecuador<\/u>\u00a0hoped the investigation into the allegations against UNRWA staff will establish the facts and anyone found guilty be brought to justice.\u00a0 The final report of the Independent Group must be carefully analysed as its recommendations will be extremely important.\u00a0 He said that UNRWA\u2019s work is \u201cvitally important\u201d.\u00a0\u201cFor this reason, I reiterate my call to those who can do so to contribute to financing its operations, which is an important factor contributing to stability in the whole region,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The representative of the\u00a0United States<\/u>\u00a0stressed:\u00a0\u201cHumanitarian personnel must be protected \u2014 full stop.\u201d\u00a0 For that reason, the resolution the United States recently introduced demanded all parties to respect humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanisms. \u00a0\u201cAlthough Russia and China vetoed that resolution, we repeat that call today,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Expressing concern that Israel has not done enough to protect humanitarian workers or civilians, he called on that country to implement a series of steps to address harm to such individuals.\u00a0 \u201cUnited States policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by Israel\u2019s immediate and sustained action on these steps,\u201d he said.\u00a0 The United States paused additional funding to UNRWA due to serious allegations that its personnel participated in the 7\u00a0October attacks, he recalled, urging the Agency and the wider UN system to take all steps necessary to strengthen the Organization\u2019s neutrality and improve UNRWA\u2019s sustainability.\u00a0 Nevertheless, he recognized the Agency\u2019s \u201cindispensable\u201d role in Gaza and called for the lifting of \u201conerous restrictions on its work\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Slovenia<\/u>\u00a0called UNRWA a \u201cfactor of stability\u201d in the region, noting the Agency\u2019s s work is mandated by the UN General Assembly.\u00a0 \u201cIt needs to be respected,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Underscoring the general agreement that UNRWA has become indispensable because of its resources, experience and knowledge, he noted that non-governmental organizations in Gaza say they are unable to substitute for or absorb its role.\u00a0 The Secretary-General and UN entities say that the Agency is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza.\u00a0 Slovenia takes the allegations against UNRWA staff seriously and looks forward towards further strengthening the Agency\u2019s neutrality and transparency.\u00a0 His country has maintained funding for UNRWA.\u00a0 He urged other countries to do the same and new donors to come forward, stressing: \u00a0\u201cIt is about the survival of civilians in Gaza.\u201d\u00a0He expressed concern that UNRWA\u2019s work faces obstacles.\u00a0 The Agency\u2019s staff, and all humanitarian and medical personnel working in Gaza, \u201care the face of humanity in this conflict\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Mozambique<\/u>\u00a0expressed concern over attacks on UNRWA\u2019s work, restrictions placed on its personnel and limits on its funding, which significantly undermine its ability to carry out its vital humanitarian mission.\u00a0 Underlining the need to build trust and confidence between Israel and UNRWA, he said that \u2014 while balancing security concerns with humanitarian imperatives remains a complex challenge \u2014 dialogue and collaboration are crucial.\u00a0Members of the international community, therefore, must reconsider their positions to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.\u00a0 \u201cLet us work towards a path of peace that prioritizes humanity above all else,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Sierra Leone<\/u>\u00a0underscored that UNRWA\u2019s ability to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and elsewhere has been affected by the indiscriminate bombardment and collective punishment of the Strip since the 7\u00a0October Hamas attacks.\u00a0 Noting the allegation of the involvement of a small number of its personnel in the attacks, which has led to the suspension of funds by some major donors, he called on all those donors to reconsider that decision.\u00a0 No other agency or entity can replace UNRWA, he emphasized, describing its work across the region as \u201cimmeasurable and lifesaving\u201d.\u00a0 Concurrently, he stressed the need for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023) and 2728 (2024).<\/p>\n
The representative of the\u00a0United Kingdom<\/u>, stating that UNRWA\u2019s mandate \u201cremains as important as ever\u201d, recognized that the Agency is critical to aid delivery in Gaza and should have unhindered access.\u00a0 The United Kingdom remains committed to increasing humanitarian aid to Gazans.\u00a0 \u201cWe call on Israel to allow UNRWA and all agencies providing humanitarian relief unhindered access in Gaza, particularly to the north [\u2026] to increase aid flows and enable the UN\u2019s minimum operating requirements, so that humanitarian agencies can operate safely,\u201d she said.\u00a0UNRWA\u2019s health and education services and humanitarian relief across the region are important for regional stability, and of particular importance at this critical time.\u00a0 She emphasized the importance of UNRWA putting in place robust management reform actions, including stronger independent oversight and better detection systems.\u00a0 She looked forward to the findings of the independent review, after which her country will clarify its position on funding.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0China<\/u>\u00a0observed that \u201camidst the gloom of war and death, the light of humanitarianism has never faded\u201d.\u00a0 UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Palestine and is indispensable for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.\u00a0 He therefore urged Israel to cease restricting the Agency\u2019s work and, while expressing support for an independent, impartial investigation into allegations against UNRWA staff, stressed that the same must not have a predetermined conclusion or undermine the Agency\u2019s work.\u00a0\u201cIndividual cases should not overshadow the big picture,\u201d he underscored, rejecting both \u201cmalicious attacks\u201d on UNRWA in the absence of solid evidence and the use of such investigation as a pretext to launch unfounded accusations against the entire UN system.\u00a0 He also called on Israel to adhere to the demands of resolution 2728 (2024), and on the United States to \u201cmake sincere efforts in this regard\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0France<\/u>\u00a0underscored that unhindered humanitarian access and delivery must be guaranteed to meet the immense needs of the civilian population of Gaza, particularly in the north of the enclave.\u00a0 For 75 years, UNRWA has played an indispensable role for the 5.9\u00a0million Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, she observed, adding that France will pay its annual contribution for 2024 to enable the Office’s humanitarian operations to continue. \u00a0Turning to the allegations that some of the UNRWA employees participated in the 7\u00a0October terrorist attacks, she demanded that all light be shed on these accusations and that strong measures be implemented without delay. \u00a0In this regard, she took note of the interim report of the independent external audit conducted by Ms.\u00a0Colonna, whose conclusions will be made public on 22\u00a0April.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Switzerland<\/u>\u00a0said to help meet the huge needs due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza her country has allocated an additional $100\u00a0million in aid for the Middle East.\u00a0 She underscored that UNRWA is critical to humanitarian work in Gaza and preventing further destabilization in the region.\u00a0 Expecting the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to fully shed light on the allegations against UNRWA staff, she looked forward to the swift conclusion of the OIOS investigation and the independent review, with diligent implementation of their respective recommendations.\u00a0 She underlined that all parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian access, including in northern Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cIt is high time for the parties to the conflict to strictly respect international law, in particular human rights and international humanitarian law,\u201d she said, stressing: \u201cEvery occupying Power has an obligation under international humanitarian law to meet the basic needs of the population under its control\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Guyana<\/u>\u00a0said it is \u201ctroubling\u201d that several UNRWA premises have been directly attacked despite the Agency\u2019s provision of their coordinates through the UN humanitarian notification system.\u00a0Underscoring that \u201cthere should be no impunity for such brazen disregard of international law\u201d, she also expressed concern over the ongoing campaign to discredit and dismantle UNRWA.\u00a0 The Agency has been accused of involvement in the 7 October attacks without any credible evidence.\u00a0 \u201cWhile it is the right of any Member State to voice concerns about the operation of any UN agency, Guyana underscores that there is also a concomitant responsibility to ensure that those concerns are substantiated,\u201d she stressed.\u00a0 Adding that UNRWA\u2019s indispensable existence for the last 75 years is a \u201creminder that the international community has not yet delivered justice to the Palestinian people\u201d, she stressed that any attempts to dismantle the Agency should simultaneously align with the delivery of such justice.<\/p>\n
The representative of the\u00a0Republic of Korea<\/u>\u00a0said that since the outbreak of the military operation by Israel in Gaza, and before the announcement of the allegations that some of UNRWA staff members participated in the heinous terrorist attacks, \u201cno one denied the Agency\u2019s indispensable role in assisting Gazan civilians in despair\u201d. \u00a0Despite the serious allegations, UNRWA\u2019s devotion has not changed \u2014 with its 13,000 staff members in Gaza, 178 of whom were killed in this conflict, it remains the core agency in international humanitarian efforts in Gaza. \u00a0Accordingly, the Republic of Korea has provided consistent and increased assistance to the Agency, including $5\u00a0million at the beginning of 2024.\u00a0 He welcomed the Secretary-General\u2019s appointment of an independent Review Group to assess UNRWA\u2019s neutrality, and expressed hope that the swift release of the interim report by OIOS will once again ensure UNRWA\u2019s credibility.<\/p>\n
Taking the floor for the second time, the representative of the\u00a0Russian Federation<\/u>, in response to remarks of the delegate of the United States, said he regretted Washington D.C.\u2019s attempt to sow disinformation.\u00a0 He said assertions that the Russian Federation and China vetoed the United States draft resolution, and as a result the Council could not protect humanitarian workers \u201care blatant lies and manipulation\u201d.\u00a0 He said it is not the first time that the United States delegation is trying to trick the international community.\u00a0 \u201cIt is regrettable that American diplomacy has sunk so low,\u201d he said, adding that by acting in this fashion Washington, D.C., is becoming directly complicit in the killing of over 200 humanitarian workers and 30,000 civilians in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The representative of the\u00a0United States<\/u>, taking the floor for the second time, in response to the remarks of the Russian Federation, said it is a fact that the Russian Federation vetoed the resolution.\u00a0 But, he said, to blame the United States for the situation in the region is totally unfair \u201cbut it\u2019s typical of Russian disinformation activities\u201d.<\/p>\n
ZIAD ABU AMR,\u00a0Special Representative of the President for the State of Palestine<\/u>, said he would be \u201cremiss\u201d to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian assistance and the implementation of relevant Council resolutions.\u00a0 \u201cNo innocent can be saved, no relief can be provided, no famine can be stopped in Gaza\u201d so long as Israel continues targeting civilians, homes, infrastructure, schools, shelters, hospitals, humanitarian facilities, rescue teams and medical staff, he observed.\u00a0 Israel must therefore be pressured to respect international law and cease its policy of collective punishment and its use of famine as a weapon of war.\u00a0 He also called for serious steps to open all border crossings into Gaza and to compel Israel to carry out its obligation to provide basic services to those under occupation, asking:\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t it high time for this killing, destruction and displacement to stop?\u201d<\/p>\n
Recalling that the General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949, he said that the relevant resolution made clear when the Agency should be terminated \u2014 \u201cwhen the question of Palestinian refugees is solved\u201d.\u00a0 The Agency \u201cis not a mere humanitarian project\u201d, he urged; rather, it is a witness of the international community\u2019s commitment to Palestinians who had to leave their homeland until a just, comprehensive solution is found for their cause.\u00a0 Underscoring that UNRWA is the only UN agency with the skill, readiness, operational capacity, experience and expertise to carry out humanitarian work at such a large scale, he added that the Agency is \u201cthe best thing the UN can do during these circumstances\u201d.\u00a0 Emphasizing that Israel\u2019s campaign against UNRWA is neither new nor secret, he called on those who have suspended funding while the investigation is under way to reverse that decision as \u201cno other operational structure can carry out such a humongous task\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>\u00a0said the UN not only failed in advancing a solution but is directly responsible for perpetuating the conflict and ensuring that the Palestinians will continue to reject any peace plan or compromise.\u00a0 One of the UN\u2019s weapons to protract this conflict is UNRWA \u2014 \u201can instrument of war\u201d \u2014 whose goal is not aid or education. \u00a0In practice, the Agency is creating a sea of Palestinian refugees indoctrinated to believe that \u201cIsrael belongs to them\u201d.\u00a0 He emphasized that just because UNRWA has \u201ca thin layer of Europeans in charge of collecting donations and garnering support\u201d, it is a Palestinian organization, \u201cfully committed to Israel\u2019s destruction\u201d.\u00a0 One of its primary goals is to brainwash Palestinian children into believing that the war of 1949 is not over and that they are still refugees 76 years later, even though they were born in Gaza or other countries. \u00a0However, he asked: \u00a0\u201cHow can there be a Palestinian refugee in Gaza? \u00a0A place with no Israeli control.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stressed that UNRWA is the world\u2019s most prominent advocate for a one-State solution \u2014 that is, \u201ca Palestinian State from the river to the sea\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0 There are Palestinians today with Jordanian, United States and Swedish passports \u2014 yet, they remain on UNRWA\u2019s roster as Palestinian refugees, he observed, adding that \u201cthis dysfunctional system has no parallel anywhere else in the world\u201d.\u00a0 He\u00a0called on States to diminish the problem instead of keeping it alive, stating: \u201cYou are providing aspirin to a body contaminated with cancerous cells.\u201d\u00a0Today in Gaza, \u201cUNRWA is Hamas and Hamas is UNRWA\u201d, he said, noting that the Agency has become part of the terror war machine. \u00a0Meanwhile, Israel has shared evidence that 17\u00a0per\u00a0cent of the Agency\u2019s employees in Gaza are members of terror groups, he said, declaring: \u00a0\u201cThe time has come to defund UNRWA.\u201d<\/p>\n
AYMAN SAFADI,\u00a0Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan<\/u>, underscored that Gaza\u2019s population is facing famine caused by Israel, which is using starvation as a weapon.\u00a0 \u201cThe suffering is beyond words,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Only UNRWA has the knowledge, ability, and infrastructure to help ease the suffering, and it deserves the Council\u2019s support, he said, stressing: \u00a0\u201cIsrael wants to break it. \u00a0Do not allow it to do so.\u201d \u00a0Stressing that \u201cthe truth is another victim of Israel\u2019s aggression on Gaza\u201d, he said Israel\u2019s disinformation campaign against UNRWA must not shape world view of the Agency. \u00a0On Israel\u2019s allegations against UNRWA, he said the Agency has acted responsibly and has nothing to hide.\u00a0 It has committed to fixing any wrongdoings or shortfalls should any be found, he underlined.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet the Israeli witch-hunt of the Agency continues,\u201d he said, noting that UNWRA has been the target of political assassination for years.\u00a0 \u201cIsrael wants to kill UNRWA, and what it represents. \u00a0The purpose of the attack on UNRWA is to kill Palestinian refugees\u2019 rights.\u201d\u00a0About 5.6\u00a0million refugees see UNRWA as a symbol that the world still cares about alleviating the historical injustice they faced, he underscored.\u00a0 UNRWA must continue to implement its mandate, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.\u00a0 He added that it is needed more now than ever before, \u201cas children are literally dying from starvation and dehydration in the inferno of pain, death and suffering the Israeli war has made Gaza\u201d.\u00a0 He called on the Council to support the Agency financially and politically.\u00a0\u201cSaving UNRWA is saving lives, saving hope, and standing on the side of justice and the right of the Palestinian people to live in dignity and freedom,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
AHMET YILDIZ,\u00a0Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of T\u00fcrkiye<\/u>, said that the statement by Israel\u2019s representative confirms the observations made by UNRWA\u2019s Commissioner-General regarding that country\u2019s objectives.\u00a0 Stating that Gaza faces \u201cthe most formidable human-made disaster\u201d in the modern age, he emphasized that the destruction and massacres are \u201ctormenting and heart-breaking\u201d.\u00a0Against this painful backdrop, however, UNRWA shines as a beacon of hope, as its staff selflessly distribute food, education and medicine under life-threatening circumstances.\u00a0 Yet, the Israeli Government continues its defamation campaign against the Agency without substantiating its allegations.\u00a0 \u201cUNRWA tells us that the Palestinian question is alive,\u201d he underscored, stressing that the Agency is a political, legal, humanitarian and moral responsibility of the international community until a just solution, based on the two-State vision, is realized.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Saudi Arabia<\/u>, speaking on behalf of the\u00a0Arab Group<\/u>, appreciated UNRWA\u2019s heroic relief work undertaken in Gaza, with 176 of its employees killed since the start of Israeli aggression.\u00a0 In the past six months, the Council has been incapable of protecting civilians from death, hunger, and disease.\u00a0 Noting the Agency\u2019s indispensable role, he said it is a lifeline that brings hope to those who fell victim to political favouritism.\u00a0 However, it is not just a humanitarian organization \u2014 it has lived with the Palestinian people \u201cmoment by moment, generation by generation\u201d.\u00a0 He emphasized that \u201cthere is no alternative to UNRWA\u201d as it is the only UN agency with high operating capabilities to undertake large-scale humanitarian tasks.\u00a0 On the defamation campaign faced by the Agency, he said \u201caccusations were thrown without evidence\u201d, trying to put an end to \u201cthe only source of hope for Palestinian civilians\u201d.\u00a0 Accordingly, he called on all countries concerned to resume their financing to UNRWA.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Egypt<\/u>\u00a0called for an immediate, full ceasefire.\u00a0 Egypt will continue to condemn Israeli attacks, which aim to kill UNRWA personnel, he said. \u00a0UNRWA plays a fundamental role, which is a responsibility assumed by the international community due to the tragedy faced by Palestinians.\u00a0 He said the campaign against UNRWA aims to liquidate the cause of Palestinian refugees and bring an end to the demands of the Palestinian people.\u00a0\u201cWe must all counter this oppressive campaign\u201d so that the Palestinian people can reclaim their rights, he added.\u00a0He called on those States suspending contributions to UNRWA to resume them and rejected any fallacious pretexts for halting this financing.\u00a0 He also called on donors to increase financing to UNRWA due to the crisis.\u00a0Stopping it is a tool to pressure Palestinians, he said, which creates a further crisis on top of all their suffering.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Syria<\/u>\u00a0said that Palestinian suffering is being exacerbated by attempts to liquidate UNRWA by Israel, \u201cwho falsely claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East\u201d.\u00a0Spotlighting the \u201chorrific bias and unlimited support to the occupying entity\u201d by the United States and other Western colonial States, he said this was again made clear when the United States repeatedly prevented Council calls for an immediate end to Israeli aggression, as well as when the United States announced that resolution 2728 (2024) was \u201cnon-binding\u201d immediately after its adoption.\u00a0 Rejecting any attempt to prejudice the role or mandate of UNRWA to serve Israel\u2019s agenda \u2014 liquidating the Palestinian question \u2014 he urged those States who have suspended funding to the Agency to reverse that decision.\u00a0 He also warned against the \u201ccatastrophic repercussions of repeated Israeli aggression on Syrian territory\u201d.<\/p>\n
The head of delegation of the\u00a0European Union<\/u>, in its capacity as observer, voiced grave concern over the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing that humanitarian workers must never be targeted. \u00a0Addressing the imminent famine in Gaza urgently requires a comprehensive approach that combines political action, strict adherence to international humanitarian law, unimpeded sustained humanitarian access and the restoration of essential services. \u00a0In this regard, UNRWA is the backbone of any effective humanitarian response in Gaza and a main humanitarian lifeline for Palestinian children, women, and men who are dependent on life-saving assistance.<\/p>\n
He commended the steps taken by the UN\u2019s OIOS investigation to shed light on the serious allegations against a few UNRWA staff, and the establishment of an independent review group to assess whether the Agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and respond to allegations. \u00a0\u201cFrom the preliminary results, we remain convinced that UNRWA is an essential part of delivering desperately needed aid to the people in Gaza,\u201d he stated, welcoming that many donors who had initially suspended their funding have resumed their support of UNRWA based on the results of these assessments.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Luxembourg<\/u>, also speaking on behalf of\u00a0Belgium<\/u>,\u00a0Ireland<\/u>,\u00a0Malta<\/u>,\u00a0Norway<\/u>,\u00a0Portugal<\/u>,\u00a0Slovenia<\/u>\u00a0and\u00a0Spain<\/u>, said he remains firmly committed to UNRWA\u2019s work.\u00a0 Extremely concerned \u201cat any efforts to question UNRWA\u2019s role and hamper its work\u201d, he said it is essential that \u201cIsraeli restrictions and arbitrary impediments\u201d impacting its and other humanitarian agencies\u2019 work are immediately lifted.\u00a0 He fully supported and trusted the Secretary-General and UNRWA Commissioner-General\u2019s swift responses to the grave allegations about UNRWA\u2019s staff and said he is confident the independent review can further strengthen UNRWA\u2019s transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n
Deeply concerned by UNRWA\u2019s financial situation, he said: \u201cAt a time of a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions in Gaza, UNRWA \u2014 as the Agency with the largest footprint and expertise by far \u2014 needs predictable and sustainable financing\u201d, otherwise lives will be lost and the Agency\u2019s role in regional stability will be jeopardized. \u00a0He said the group of countries has provided $100 million to UNRWA in 2024 and calls on existing donors and potential new donors to step up support.\u00a0 He commended the European Commission for its \u20ac50 million allocation to the Agency.\u00a0 He expects further funds to be contributed this year \u201cwithout unnecessary delay\u201d.<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Lebanon<\/u> stressed that Israel is trying to divert the world\u2019s attention from its violations of international law in Gaza by waging a systematic campaign to tarnish UNRWA\u2019s reputation.\u00a0 Noting that these \u201cfallacious allegations\u201d prompted several States to suspend funding to the Agency, he urged those that have not done so to reverse this decision, which directly impacts Palestinians in a Gaza that has been \u201ctorn up\u201d by war, famine and disease.\u00a0 Further, such funding suspension has knock-on effects on all Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria who depend on the Agency for their livelihoods.\u00a0 The international community must not assist Israel\u2019s \u201cdestructive adventure\u201d, he stressed \u2014 adding that the alternative to UNRWA is \u201cdespair\u201d.\u00a0 Also noting that Israel\u2019s representative spoke \u201cas if he were a clown, twisting and deforming history\u201d to accuse Lebanon of apartheid against Palestinian refugees, he stressed: \u201cWe welcomed thousands of victims.\u201d<\/p>\n
The representative of\u00a0Denmark<\/u>, also speaking on behalf of\u00a0Finland<\/u>,\u00a0Iceland<\/u>,\u00a0Norway<\/u>\u00a0and\u00a0Sweden<\/u>, expressed deep concern over the immense suffering of civilians and loss of life in Gaza and the harrowing risk of famine caused by insufficient entry of aid into Gaza.\u00a0 She noted that collectively Nordic countries are amongst the largest donors to UNRWA, with contributions in 2023 of around $128\u00a0million, and underscored that all Nordic countries have moved ahead with contributions for 2024.\u00a0 Yet, financing of humanitarian aid \u201cmeans little if the conditions are not in place for it to reach the affected populations\u201d.\u00a0She said full unhindered humanitarian access is essential.\u00a0 On the allegations against UNRWA, she said it is important for the Agency to continue its work to restore trust in it.\u00a0 She expected the independent review and the OIOS investigation to lead to an UNRWA that is robust and well-equipped to respond to the needs of the civilian population.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"