30 may 2016
The Service Committees in the northern West Bank denied the UNRWA accusations that the committees threatened the agency’s staff.
“The committees cannot threaten the UNRWA personnel for they are part and parcel of the Palestinian people,” the committees’ spokesman Husni Awda told a PIC journalist.
He added that the UNRWA resorted to such accusations to justify its policies as regards the Palestinian refugees.
He dubbed the UNRWA accusations a sign of the agency’s policy of collective punishment against the Palestinian people.
According to Awda, the Service Committees have no objections over the e-card but want to make sure that the beneficiaries’ rights are guaranteed.
Reports have recently been released by Palestinian sources on the UNRWA’s decision to close its offices and suspend its services for Palestinian refugees across northern West Bank camps starting on Monday.
“The committees cannot threaten the UNRWA personnel for they are part and parcel of the Palestinian people,” the committees’ spokesman Husni Awda told a PIC journalist.
He added that the UNRWA resorted to such accusations to justify its policies as regards the Palestinian refugees.
He dubbed the UNRWA accusations a sign of the agency’s policy of collective punishment against the Palestinian people.
According to Awda, the Service Committees have no objections over the e-card but want to make sure that the beneficiaries’ rights are guaranteed.
Reports have recently been released by Palestinian sources on the UNRWA’s decision to close its offices and suspend its services for Palestinian refugees across northern West Bank camps starting on Monday.
A Palestinian informed source said that the UNRWA decided, as of Monday, to close all its headquarters and suspend all its services in the northern West Bank refugee camps until further notice.
Ibrahim Namer, head of the service committee in Ein Beit al-Ma refugee camp, explained that the UNRWA announced it would halt all services, including its health and educational support for refugees, in all camps of the northern West Bank.
Namer added that the UNRWA claimed its decision in this regard was in response to the recent protest steps against its service cuts that had been carried out by the committees of the West Bank camps.
He pointed out that the agency had already decided to replace the food ration it used to distribute to the extremely poor families with a specified amount of cash taken through ATM cards.
He described the UNRWA's move as a "serious escalation", and affirmed that all committees of the camps would convene for a meeting to crystallize a unified position about this development.
For their part, the Palestinian factions in Nablus strongly denounced the UNRWA for halting its services in the northern areas of the West Bank.
In a joint press release on Monday, the factions accused the UN body of disavowing its relief responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees and held it fully responsible for the consequences of its decisions.
Ibrahim Namer, head of the service committee in Ein Beit al-Ma refugee camp, explained that the UNRWA announced it would halt all services, including its health and educational support for refugees, in all camps of the northern West Bank.
Namer added that the UNRWA claimed its decision in this regard was in response to the recent protest steps against its service cuts that had been carried out by the committees of the West Bank camps.
He pointed out that the agency had already decided to replace the food ration it used to distribute to the extremely poor families with a specified amount of cash taken through ATM cards.
He described the UNRWA's move as a "serious escalation", and affirmed that all committees of the camps would convene for a meeting to crystallize a unified position about this development.
For their part, the Palestinian factions in Nablus strongly denounced the UNRWA for halting its services in the northern areas of the West Bank.
In a joint press release on Monday, the factions accused the UN body of disavowing its relief responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees and held it fully responsible for the consequences of its decisions.
27 may 2016
The rights and dignity of Palestinians will only be realized when the world wakes up to the need for a lasting political solution for the problem of the Palestinian refugees, Commissioner General of the UN Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, Pierre Krähenbühl said.
Speaking to the UN radio at the end of the World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul earlier this week, Pierre Krähenbühl said working out the refugees’ plight is one of Palestinians’ most urgent needs.
The UN commissioner sounded the alarm over the tragic situation endured by Palestinian refugee students enrolled at UNRWA schools. Citing a Palestinian female student named Batoul, Pierre Krähenbühl drew the audience’s attention to how she was forced to flee to Lebanon from war-torn Syria to pursue her studies at the Ein Helwa refugee camp.
The commissioner quoted one of the UNRWA students as asking him: “Would you work for our future and rights as seriously as you would do for your children’s? This is the message I would like to send to the world.”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a relief and human development agency. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.
Speaking to the UN radio at the end of the World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul earlier this week, Pierre Krähenbühl said working out the refugees’ plight is one of Palestinians’ most urgent needs.
The UN commissioner sounded the alarm over the tragic situation endured by Palestinian refugee students enrolled at UNRWA schools. Citing a Palestinian female student named Batoul, Pierre Krähenbühl drew the audience’s attention to how she was forced to flee to Lebanon from war-torn Syria to pursue her studies at the Ein Helwa refugee camp.
The commissioner quoted one of the UNRWA students as asking him: “Would you work for our future and rights as seriously as you would do for your children’s? This is the message I would like to send to the world.”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a relief and human development agency. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.
26 may 2016
The UNRWA relief agency on Thursday denied claims on its intent to close its headquarters in the blockaded Gaza Strip. “Such reports are counterfeit.
The UNRWA presidency in Gaza will not close its office.
There is no such an intention on the part of the UNRWA,” the agency said. UNRWA spokesman Sami Mushasha also reiterated the agency’s full commitment to its duties as regards Palestinian refugees in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The UNRWA presidency in Gaza will not close its office.
There is no such an intention on the part of the UNRWA,” the agency said. UNRWA spokesman Sami Mushasha also reiterated the agency’s full commitment to its duties as regards Palestinian refugees in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
25 may 2016
The Palestinian Return Center (PRC) held Tuesday a side event onboard of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), that took place in Istanbul on 23-24 May 2016 in Istanbul.
The side event of PRC titled "Palestinian Refugees: Humanitarian conditions and political solutions" highlighted the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees inside the Palestinian territories and in the Diaspora.
The event also discussed the financial crisis of UNRWA and provided future solutions. The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) is a global call to action by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Summit included approximately 5,000 participants representing global leaders from government, business, aid organizations, civil society, affected communities and youth, among others from more than 80 countries all over the world.
Head of the PRC Majed al-Zeer said that his event provided a guideline to the international community on possible political solutions. In addition it reminded the conflict parties of their obligations to abide by the international law, he added.
Baroness Jenny Tonge, who chaired the event, pointed to the Palestinian people’s humanitarian suffering and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in refugee camps. For his part, al-Zeer stated that the Israeli occupation should be held responsible for the difficult humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees.
Al-Zeer pointed out that Israel didn’t abide by the UN resolutions related to Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their homeland. Ali Hweidi, PRC Middle East Regional Representative, shed light on the ongoing suffering of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and suggested solutions.
In her turn, Amani Asnwar, a Palestinian Human Rights Researcher, said that the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees camps in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan have become tragic.
The side event of PRC titled "Palestinian Refugees: Humanitarian conditions and political solutions" highlighted the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees inside the Palestinian territories and in the Diaspora.
The event also discussed the financial crisis of UNRWA and provided future solutions. The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) is a global call to action by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Summit included approximately 5,000 participants representing global leaders from government, business, aid organizations, civil society, affected communities and youth, among others from more than 80 countries all over the world.
Head of the PRC Majed al-Zeer said that his event provided a guideline to the international community on possible political solutions. In addition it reminded the conflict parties of their obligations to abide by the international law, he added.
Baroness Jenny Tonge, who chaired the event, pointed to the Palestinian people’s humanitarian suffering and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in refugee camps. For his part, al-Zeer stated that the Israeli occupation should be held responsible for the difficult humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees.
Al-Zeer pointed out that Israel didn’t abide by the UN resolutions related to Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their homeland. Ali Hweidi, PRC Middle East Regional Representative, shed light on the ongoing suffering of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and suggested solutions.
In her turn, Amani Asnwar, a Palestinian Human Rights Researcher, said that the humanitarian conditions of Palestinian refugees camps in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan have become tragic.
13 may 2016
Pierre Krahenbuhl meets with Palestinian refugees in Syria, May 11-12, 2016
The commissioner-general for UNRWA -- the UN agency responsible for providing assistance to Palestinian refugees -- visited Damascus Wednesday and Thursday to meet with Palestine refugees, as well as UNRWA staff and government officials.
Pierre Krahenbuhl met with Palestinian refugees in Yalda from the nearby Yarmouk camp that used to be home to nearly 200,000 people, but after two years of a Syrian regime siege, followed by the incursion of the Islamic State into the camp, the vast majority were forced to flee the camp.
"UNRWA remains determined to resume direct distributions inside Yarmouk when the conditions permit. In the meantime, it is important that we are able to continue providing the life-saving support to Palestine refugees from Yarmouk in surrounding neighborhoods," a press release published by UNRWA Friday quoted Krahenbuhl as saying.
Armed fighting has made humanitarian aid delivery to the camp nearly impossible over the past three years. The estimated 5,000 to 8,000 residents remaining in Yarmouk must travel to adjacent areas such as Yalda to receive distribution of food and hygiene materials.
Krahenbuhl traveled to Sayeda Zeinab in Damascus and met with two Palestinian girls badly injured during Islamic State bomb attacks that targeted the neighborhood on Feb. 21, killing at least 83 and wounding another 178.
"In the eyes of Rana and Isra, I saw the unspeakable trauma they have endured but also their determination to prevail," Krahenbuhl said.
Krahenbuhl said he was “encouraged” that UNRWA could soon be granted humanitarian access to Palestinian refugee communities in the Khan Eshieh camp and the district of Qudsaya in Damascus, during meetings with top Syrian government officials such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Social Affairs, and the Director-General of the General Administration for Palestine Arab Refugees.
Three young men were shot dead while trying to escape rebel-held Khan Eshieh in recent days, which has been been completely surrounded by regime forces and suffered heavy shelling and sniper attacks. Some 3,000 children are among those trapped in the besieged refugee camp, according to Save the Children.
“As steps are underway to try and resolve the wider Syria conflict, UNRWA staff [across Syria] are doing their utmost to provide crucial assistance and services to Palestine refugees. It is essential that their destiny, their plight, as well as their needs and expectations are not forgotten. Addressing these should be a priority for all,” the statement concluded.
The Syrian conflict began in the form of peaceful protests in March 2011 and quickly morphed into a civil war, leaving more than 300,000 people dead and millions displaced since.
Over half a million Palestinians lived across nine refugee camps prior to the war, the descendants of the some 750,000 Palestinians expelled from their homes during the establishment of Israel, known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” Palestinians will commemorate on Sunday the 68th anniversary of the Nakba tragedy.
Syria's civil war has seen many of these families displaced a second time, and around 50,000 Palestinians have fled the country.
The commissioner-general for UNRWA -- the UN agency responsible for providing assistance to Palestinian refugees -- visited Damascus Wednesday and Thursday to meet with Palestine refugees, as well as UNRWA staff and government officials.
Pierre Krahenbuhl met with Palestinian refugees in Yalda from the nearby Yarmouk camp that used to be home to nearly 200,000 people, but after two years of a Syrian regime siege, followed by the incursion of the Islamic State into the camp, the vast majority were forced to flee the camp.
"UNRWA remains determined to resume direct distributions inside Yarmouk when the conditions permit. In the meantime, it is important that we are able to continue providing the life-saving support to Palestine refugees from Yarmouk in surrounding neighborhoods," a press release published by UNRWA Friday quoted Krahenbuhl as saying.
Armed fighting has made humanitarian aid delivery to the camp nearly impossible over the past three years. The estimated 5,000 to 8,000 residents remaining in Yarmouk must travel to adjacent areas such as Yalda to receive distribution of food and hygiene materials.
Krahenbuhl traveled to Sayeda Zeinab in Damascus and met with two Palestinian girls badly injured during Islamic State bomb attacks that targeted the neighborhood on Feb. 21, killing at least 83 and wounding another 178.
"In the eyes of Rana and Isra, I saw the unspeakable trauma they have endured but also their determination to prevail," Krahenbuhl said.
Krahenbuhl said he was “encouraged” that UNRWA could soon be granted humanitarian access to Palestinian refugee communities in the Khan Eshieh camp and the district of Qudsaya in Damascus, during meetings with top Syrian government officials such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Social Affairs, and the Director-General of the General Administration for Palestine Arab Refugees.
Three young men were shot dead while trying to escape rebel-held Khan Eshieh in recent days, which has been been completely surrounded by regime forces and suffered heavy shelling and sniper attacks. Some 3,000 children are among those trapped in the besieged refugee camp, according to Save the Children.
“As steps are underway to try and resolve the wider Syria conflict, UNRWA staff [across Syria] are doing their utmost to provide crucial assistance and services to Palestine refugees. It is essential that their destiny, their plight, as well as their needs and expectations are not forgotten. Addressing these should be a priority for all,” the statement concluded.
The Syrian conflict began in the form of peaceful protests in March 2011 and quickly morphed into a civil war, leaving more than 300,000 people dead and millions displaced since.
Over half a million Palestinians lived across nine refugee camps prior to the war, the descendants of the some 750,000 Palestinians expelled from their homes during the establishment of Israel, known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” Palestinians will commemorate on Sunday the 68th anniversary of the Nakba tragedy.
Syria's civil war has seen many of these families displaced a second time, and around 50,000 Palestinians have fled the country.
Crisis Management Cell with UNRWA demanded UNRWA’s Director General in Lebanon Matthias Schmali to resign and refuse to take part in oppressing the Palestinian people and humiliating refugees by reduction of services.
This came during the 12th press conference which was held by the management cell on Thursday in front of UNRWA’s main headquarters in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Some of competent committees have finished their dialogues with UNRWA and filed their visions, perspectives, and suggestions pending response by Schmali by the end of May.
Based on his reply, the Palestinian official and popular position will be determined, the management cell underlined.
This came during the 12th press conference which was held by the management cell on Thursday in front of UNRWA’s main headquarters in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Some of competent committees have finished their dialogues with UNRWA and filed their visions, perspectives, and suggestions pending response by Schmali by the end of May.
Based on his reply, the Palestinian official and popular position will be determined, the management cell underlined.
6 may 2016
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees on Friday rallied outside the UN-ESCWA headquarters in Beirut to protest the UNRWA's cuts of its services for the Palestinians.
Hamas representative in Lebanon Ali Baraka and civil committees joined the sit-in, calling for restoring, in full, of the UNRWA services for Palestinian refugees.
Member of the Crisis Management Cell Salah Youssef urged the UNRWA to immediately backtrack on its latest decisions and take up its responsibility as regards the tragic situation endured by the Palestinians at the Lebanese refugee camps.
Youssef called on the UNRWA General-Director to re-consider his oppressive decisions and set the stage for constructive negotiations.
Hamas representative in Lebanon Ali Baraka and civil committees joined the sit-in, calling for restoring, in full, of the UNRWA services for Palestinian refugees.
Member of the Crisis Management Cell Salah Youssef urged the UNRWA to immediately backtrack on its latest decisions and take up its responsibility as regards the tragic situation endured by the Palestinians at the Lebanese refugee camps.
Youssef called on the UNRWA General-Director to re-consider his oppressive decisions and set the stage for constructive negotiations.
3 may 2016
The London-based Europal Forum intends to release soon a report on "the Zionist lobby and the European Union" that will lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the network of pro-Israel groups in Europe in general and Belgium in particular.
According to Europal, the report will reveal the parties that fund the pro-Israel groups in Europe and their involvement in supporting illegal Israeli activities in the West Bank.
The report will also unveil facts about how the Zionist lobby has managed to convince European lawmakers to prevent any move at their parliaments aimed at imposing sanctions on Israel for its human rights violations in Palestine.
Moreover, the report exposes Israeli attempts to undermine popular campaigns supporting the Palestinian people in Europe. The forum will publicize the report in Brussels on May 9 and in London on May 13.
According to Europal, the report will reveal the parties that fund the pro-Israel groups in Europe and their involvement in supporting illegal Israeli activities in the West Bank.
The report will also unveil facts about how the Zionist lobby has managed to convince European lawmakers to prevent any move at their parliaments aimed at imposing sanctions on Israel for its human rights violations in Palestine.
Moreover, the report exposes Israeli attempts to undermine popular campaigns supporting the Palestinian people in Europe. The forum will publicize the report in Brussels on May 9 and in London on May 13.
1 may 2016
The Crisis Management Cell in Beirut announced on Saturday its intent to resume protest moves against the UNRWA cut of its services for Palestinian refugees.
Speaking during a symposium held by the UNRWA Crisis Cell in the municipality of Sidon, in Lebanon, Hamas representative in the Cell Ahmad Abdul Hadi said the current situation does not bode well.
He spoke out against the intransigence maintained by the UNRWA Director-General as regards the decisions recently taken by the agency. “We will resume and step up the protests which we have temporarily suspended in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for negotiations,” Abdul Hadi warned.
For his part, member of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front, Fathi Kleib, said the fact that the UNRWA changed its administrative and organizational structures along with its guiding strategies is a proof that the agency is being politicized and forced to take decisions that infringe its role as a relief party.
He warned of underway attempts to hide the real number of Palestinian refugees as a pretext for legitimizing the UNRWA cuts. Kleib also sounded the alarm over attempts to drag the UNRWA into a scheme targeting Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
Speaking during a symposium held by the UNRWA Crisis Cell in the municipality of Sidon, in Lebanon, Hamas representative in the Cell Ahmad Abdul Hadi said the current situation does not bode well.
He spoke out against the intransigence maintained by the UNRWA Director-General as regards the decisions recently taken by the agency. “We will resume and step up the protests which we have temporarily suspended in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for negotiations,” Abdul Hadi warned.
For his part, member of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front, Fathi Kleib, said the fact that the UNRWA changed its administrative and organizational structures along with its guiding strategies is a proof that the agency is being politicized and forced to take decisions that infringe its role as a relief party.
He warned of underway attempts to hide the real number of Palestinian refugees as a pretext for legitimizing the UNRWA cuts. Kleib also sounded the alarm over attempts to drag the UNRWA into a scheme targeting Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland.
