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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Calls on the United Nations to Combat Turning UNRWA to a Tool for Nationalizing Refugees

Thursday, 18 January 2018 15:27

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemns the US decision to freeze $ 65 million of US aid funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) under the pretext of the existence of what it called "the need for a deep review of UNRWAs works and funds". The Israeli decision was officially welcomed by a number of Israeli official, including the minister of Communications and Intelligence, Yisrael Katz, who said that there is a need to turn UNRWA into a mechanism for the rehabilitating of Palestinian refugees in their places of residence, which is a clear statement that calls for granting Palestinian refugees citizenship in their places of residence.

 The Ministry believes that the US decision on "UNRWA" expresses the "Deal of the Century", sponsored by the US administration in partnership with the Israeli government to implement it strongly and unilaterally. US President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding the recognition of Jerusalem (an Israeli capital) and moving the American embassy to Jerusalem, was the first practical step towards implementing the plan, as this step was followed by the continuation of their expansionist Judaization plans, the forcible displacement of thousands of citizens in Jerusalem, the escalation of settlement construction in the occupied Jordan Valley and the designated areas (C),  and the intensification of the siege on Gaza Strip

The US decision to cut UNRWAs aid is a new proof that the so-called "the Deal of the Century" is a plan that is being implemented in disregard of the Palestinian side, and not a "roadmap to negotiations" as the American administration have stated. This deal contradicts the defiance of the international consensus on the need to achieve peace through serious negotiations between the two sides, in accordance to the peace terms of reference and the international mechanisms, foremost the principle of a two-state solution. 

The Ministry warns of the repercussions, risks, and the consequences of the American decision. It affirms that the issue of the Palestinian refugees and their rights is the root of the Palestinian cause and a cornerstone in the final status negotiations. The reduction of the US aid to UNRWA will not succeed in imposing the American positions; which’re biased to the occupation, on our people, and will fail to redefine the status and the work of UNRWA according to Israeli concepts.

 

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January 17, 2018