17 nov 2019
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The Hamas Movement has welcomed the UN decision to renew the mandate of UNRWA for another three years in a General Assembly vote on Friday.
In a press release on Saturday, Hamas said the overwhelming vote in favor of UNRWA was a vote for the justice of the Palestinian cause in general and the issue of the refugees in particular. The Movement added that the vote for UNRWA dealt a strong blow to all Zio-American attempts to obliterate the issue of the Palestinian refugee and reflected Israel’s isolation at the international level despite the support it receives from the current US administration. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) |
of the UN General Assembly voted on Friday to extend the mandate of UNRWA until 2023. The vote was 170-2, with only Israel and the US voting against.
16 nov 2019
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) hopes that the ceasefire that was reached the night of 13 November will put an end to two days of escalation between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military operations reportedly saw 34 Palestinians killed, including 8 children, and dozens more injured in Israeli air strikes.
“We are truly saddened by the killing of one of our young students. Ameer Rafat Ayad was in second grade at the UNRWA Zaitoon Elementary School,” said Matthias Schmale, Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza. “It is completely unacceptable for civilians, especially children, to lose their lives in this terrible way; children who should be studying, enjoying their childhood and preparing for their future.”
He added, according to the PNN, that it is not just innocent civilians being killed or seriously injured that cause suffering: “We have to recognize and address the psychological effects, the fear and the lasting trauma such escalations leave on the population,” said Schmale.
All of the UNRWA’s 22 health centers continued to operate throughout the hostilities, while the Agency closed its 276 schools across Gaza for three days in an attempt to minimize risks on its students and staff. The UNRWA Shijaya Co-ed Elem A and B School sustained minor damage on 12 November due to its location near a home targeted in the attack by Israel.
“We remain in a heightened state of readiness and hope the ceasefire will last. We also hope to return all our services to full operation shortly. The majority of the population in the Gaza Strip, 1.4 million out of 1.9 million people, are registered Palestine refugees who depend heavily on UNRWA for health, education, relief and protection services,” said Schmale.
The Israeli military operations reportedly saw 34 Palestinians killed, including 8 children, and dozens more injured in Israeli air strikes.
“We are truly saddened by the killing of one of our young students. Ameer Rafat Ayad was in second grade at the UNRWA Zaitoon Elementary School,” said Matthias Schmale, Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza. “It is completely unacceptable for civilians, especially children, to lose their lives in this terrible way; children who should be studying, enjoying their childhood and preparing for their future.”
He added, according to the PNN, that it is not just innocent civilians being killed or seriously injured that cause suffering: “We have to recognize and address the psychological effects, the fear and the lasting trauma such escalations leave on the population,” said Schmale.
All of the UNRWA’s 22 health centers continued to operate throughout the hostilities, while the Agency closed its 276 schools across Gaza for three days in an attempt to minimize risks on its students and staff. The UNRWA Shijaya Co-ed Elem A and B School sustained minor damage on 12 November due to its location near a home targeted in the attack by Israel.
“We remain in a heightened state of readiness and hope the ceasefire will last. We also hope to return all our services to full operation shortly. The majority of the population in the Gaza Strip, 1.4 million out of 1.9 million people, are registered Palestine refugees who depend heavily on UNRWA for health, education, relief and protection services,” said Schmale.
15 nov 2019
A statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday, said that the State of Palestine firmly rejects Israel’s cynical attempts at the politicization of the UNRWA and it’s concerted efforts to incite against its mandate.
“This Agency, created by the General Assembly [by resolution 302 (IV) in 1949] seventy years ago, is at its core a humanitarian. It was established to address the just plight of a people who were systematically and brutally ethnically cleansed from their homeland, dispossessed, dispersed in exile and denied the right to return to their homes and lands in contravention of international law,” statement said.
Since its establishment, the UNRWA has played a pivotal role in providing Palestine refugees with essential assistance, enabling them to lead productive lives, aiding them in times of emergency, and ensuring a measure of stability through waves of conflicts and crises in the region.
“Palestine rejects the distorted and malicious Israeli narrative targeting the Agency and those who serve in it. This incitement aims to abrogate the Palestine refugees’ rights and plunge them into further misery and destabilization,” statement added.
It further said that instead of allowing Israel to exploit challenges confronting the UNRWA, to call for its demise, international focus should be on the situation of Palestine refugees and ways to ensure their protection, including in occupied East Jerusalem, where the agency’s operations are under serious and immediate threat.
“The State of Palestine takes note of the conclusion of the investigation and underscores the fact that no fraud, corruption or misuse of funds was found and that the alleged misconduct did not impair UNRWA operations. Despite a very complex, unstable environment and severe financial constraints, UNRWA operations continued uninterrupted, delivering humanitarian and development assistance to the refugees in all five fields of operation in the same efficient and exemplary manner repeatedly attested to, including most recently by the June 2019 MOPAN assessment.”
“The State of Palestine reaffirm our sincere appreciation to Mr. Krähenbühl for his genuine commitment to UNRWA and Palestine refugees, his tireless and effective resource mobilization, and his principled advocacy for the rights, dignity and humanitarian needs of the refugees throughout his years of service. He led the Agency with courage and determination in the most difficult of circumstances.”
“While Palestine regrets recent events, we are satisfied that administrative issues are being addressed. In this regard, the State of Palestine reiterates the need to immediately cease and desist from all efforts aimed at weaponizing these events to undermine UNRWA’s humanitarian mission.
We urge that attention be refocused on renewing UNRWA’s mandate and securing more sustained, predictable and sufficient funding to enable the agency to meet refugee needs, pending the achievement of a just solution for the Palestine refugees, which is unquestionably a central component of a just solution for the Question of Palestine.”
“This Agency, created by the General Assembly [by resolution 302 (IV) in 1949] seventy years ago, is at its core a humanitarian. It was established to address the just plight of a people who were systematically and brutally ethnically cleansed from their homeland, dispossessed, dispersed in exile and denied the right to return to their homes and lands in contravention of international law,” statement said.
Since its establishment, the UNRWA has played a pivotal role in providing Palestine refugees with essential assistance, enabling them to lead productive lives, aiding them in times of emergency, and ensuring a measure of stability through waves of conflicts and crises in the region.
“Palestine rejects the distorted and malicious Israeli narrative targeting the Agency and those who serve in it. This incitement aims to abrogate the Palestine refugees’ rights and plunge them into further misery and destabilization,” statement added.
It further said that instead of allowing Israel to exploit challenges confronting the UNRWA, to call for its demise, international focus should be on the situation of Palestine refugees and ways to ensure their protection, including in occupied East Jerusalem, where the agency’s operations are under serious and immediate threat.
“The State of Palestine takes note of the conclusion of the investigation and underscores the fact that no fraud, corruption or misuse of funds was found and that the alleged misconduct did not impair UNRWA operations. Despite a very complex, unstable environment and severe financial constraints, UNRWA operations continued uninterrupted, delivering humanitarian and development assistance to the refugees in all five fields of operation in the same efficient and exemplary manner repeatedly attested to, including most recently by the June 2019 MOPAN assessment.”
“The State of Palestine reaffirm our sincere appreciation to Mr. Krähenbühl for his genuine commitment to UNRWA and Palestine refugees, his tireless and effective resource mobilization, and his principled advocacy for the rights, dignity and humanitarian needs of the refugees throughout his years of service. He led the Agency with courage and determination in the most difficult of circumstances.”
“While Palestine regrets recent events, we are satisfied that administrative issues are being addressed. In this regard, the State of Palestine reiterates the need to immediately cease and desist from all efforts aimed at weaponizing these events to undermine UNRWA’s humanitarian mission.
We urge that attention be refocused on renewing UNRWA’s mandate and securing more sustained, predictable and sufficient funding to enable the agency to meet refugee needs, pending the achievement of a just solution for the Palestine refugees, which is unquestionably a central component of a just solution for the Question of Palestine.”
9 nov 2019
Acting Commissioner-General of UNRWA Christian Saunders has called on the international community to continue supporting and protecting the refugee agency.
“At this time, it is vital for the international community to support UNRWA and the assistance and protection it provides,” Saunders said in press remarks following his new appointment on Wednesday.
“UNRWA management and staff are committed to ensuring that the crucial work performed by the agency in the areas of education, health, relief and social services and microfinance continue uninterrupted,” he added.
“I first came to UNRWA 30 years ago as a young professional working in Gaza during the first intifada in 1989. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the agency through this challenging period,” he underlined.
“At this time, it is vital for the international community to support UNRWA and the assistance and protection it provides,” Saunders said in press remarks following his new appointment on Wednesday.
“UNRWA management and staff are committed to ensuring that the crucial work performed by the agency in the areas of education, health, relief and social services and microfinance continue uninterrupted,” he added.
“I first came to UNRWA 30 years ago as a young professional working in Gaza during the first intifada in 1989. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the agency through this challenging period,” he underlined.
7 nov 2019
The UN Secretary-General’s office has announced that the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has completed a part of the ongoing inquiry into UNRWA management-related matters.
The findings of OIOS revealed management issues which relate specifically to the Commissioner-General. The Commissioner-General has stepped aside until the completion of the process. The UN Secretary-General has appointed Mr. Christian Saunders as the Officer-In-Charge for the interim period.
Over the last few months, UNRWA has initiated an internal review of its governance, management and accountability functions, so as to ensure it practices the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and efficiency.
The review revealed a number of areas which required strengthening, and the agency has already commenced corrective action and will be pursuing further initiatives and improvements over the coming months. UNRWA is grateful for the critical support of UN Member States and other partners around the world and is committed to ensuring donor funds are utilized in the most efficient and effective manner in support of the Agency’s critical mission.
The Secretary-General calls upon donors and partners to commit to the transfer critical funding payments to enable UNRWA to bridge its significant financial deficit and ensure it is able to carry out its unique and vital role in in serving over 5.5 million Palestine refugees.
The findings of OIOS revealed management issues which relate specifically to the Commissioner-General. The Commissioner-General has stepped aside until the completion of the process. The UN Secretary-General has appointed Mr. Christian Saunders as the Officer-In-Charge for the interim period.
Over the last few months, UNRWA has initiated an internal review of its governance, management and accountability functions, so as to ensure it practices the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and efficiency.
The review revealed a number of areas which required strengthening, and the agency has already commenced corrective action and will be pursuing further initiatives and improvements over the coming months. UNRWA is grateful for the critical support of UN Member States and other partners around the world and is committed to ensuring donor funds are utilized in the most efficient and effective manner in support of the Agency’s critical mission.
The Secretary-General calls upon donors and partners to commit to the transfer critical funding payments to enable UNRWA to bridge its significant financial deficit and ensure it is able to carry out its unique and vital role in in serving over 5.5 million Palestine refugees.
6 nov 2019
Preliminary findings of an internal oversight review cleared the head of the UN's Palestine refugee agency of fraud and misusing the agency's funds, but not other "managerial issues," the UN said Wednesday.
Pierre Krahenbuhl resigned shortly after the findings were made public, informing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that his decision would be effective immediately, Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres had just hours earlier placed Krahenbuhl on administrative leave while the probe into the unspecified issues played out "so that a final determination can be made, and any appropriate action can be taken," the international body said in announcing the investigation's findings.
Christian Saunders, whom Guterres appointed to lead the agency in August while the graft probe played out, will continue to lead the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as its top official.
Saunders will implement a management plan the UN said will help strengthen UNRWA "particularly in the areas of oversight and accountability."
At the time he appointed the career UN employee to lead the agency, Guterres urged member states and other contributors to "continue their support for the crucial work performed by the Agency."
The plea came after the Netherlands and Switzerland suspended contributions following an internal ethics review that found misconduct within the agency, most seriously within the agency's senior team, including its commissioner-general.
Al-Jazeera published the report's findings in late July.
It suggests UNRWA's inner circle, including Krahenbuhl, Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell - who left her post in late July, Chief of Staff Hakam Shahwan - who departed in early July, and Senior Adviser to the Commissioner-General, Maria Mohammedi, be considered for removal from the agency.
The report asserts they "have engaged in misconduct, nepotism, retaliation" as well as "other abuses of authority."
Established in 1949, UNRWA is engaged in relief and human development works supporting the more than 5 million registered Palestinian refugees in the region.
Pierre Krahenbuhl resigned shortly after the findings were made public, informing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that his decision would be effective immediately, Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Guterres had just hours earlier placed Krahenbuhl on administrative leave while the probe into the unspecified issues played out "so that a final determination can be made, and any appropriate action can be taken," the international body said in announcing the investigation's findings.
Christian Saunders, whom Guterres appointed to lead the agency in August while the graft probe played out, will continue to lead the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as its top official.
Saunders will implement a management plan the UN said will help strengthen UNRWA "particularly in the areas of oversight and accountability."
At the time he appointed the career UN employee to lead the agency, Guterres urged member states and other contributors to "continue their support for the crucial work performed by the Agency."
The plea came after the Netherlands and Switzerland suspended contributions following an internal ethics review that found misconduct within the agency, most seriously within the agency's senior team, including its commissioner-general.
Al-Jazeera published the report's findings in late July.
It suggests UNRWA's inner circle, including Krahenbuhl, Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell - who left her post in late July, Chief of Staff Hakam Shahwan - who departed in early July, and Senior Adviser to the Commissioner-General, Maria Mohammedi, be considered for removal from the agency.
The report asserts they "have engaged in misconduct, nepotism, retaliation" as well as "other abuses of authority."
Established in 1949, UNRWA is engaged in relief and human development works supporting the more than 5 million registered Palestinian refugees in the region.
1 nov 2019
On the 102nd anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, the Office of Refugees Affairs of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, in Lebanon has called for protecting the Palestinian refugees in all their places of residence and securing a decent life for them.
"The Balfour Declaration, the promise of he who doesn't own to those who don't deserve, is unjust and unacceptable," the office said in a statement on Friday, holding Britain and the countries that supported the establishment of Israel responsible for the displacement of the Palestinian people.
The Balfour Declaration is the name of a letter dated 2 November 1917 from Britain's Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, in which he announced support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
Hamas's Office of Refugees Affairs stressed that no one can waive the Palestinian refugees' right to return to their towns and villages from which they were displaced. "It is an inalienable and sacred right. The Palestinian people will not accept partial solutions such as resettlement, alternative homeland and others," it added.
The Office called on the Palestinian people everywhere to adhere to all forms of resistance against the Israeli occupation until they restore all their rights.
It expressed its rejection of all the "racist and unjust" decisions targeting Palestinian refugees, especially the latest measures by the Lebanese Ministry of Labor, and urged Arab and Muslim countries to mobilize efforts at all levels to support the Palestinian cause.
"The Balfour Declaration, the promise of he who doesn't own to those who don't deserve, is unjust and unacceptable," the office said in a statement on Friday, holding Britain and the countries that supported the establishment of Israel responsible for the displacement of the Palestinian people.
The Balfour Declaration is the name of a letter dated 2 November 1917 from Britain's Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, in which he announced support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
Hamas's Office of Refugees Affairs stressed that no one can waive the Palestinian refugees' right to return to their towns and villages from which they were displaced. "It is an inalienable and sacred right. The Palestinian people will not accept partial solutions such as resettlement, alternative homeland and others," it added.
The Office called on the Palestinian people everywhere to adhere to all forms of resistance against the Israeli occupation until they restore all their rights.
It expressed its rejection of all the "racist and unjust" decisions targeting Palestinian refugees, especially the latest measures by the Lebanese Ministry of Labor, and urged Arab and Muslim countries to mobilize efforts at all levels to support the Palestinian cause.